The Waikato Independent. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1930. MATERNAL MORTALITY.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2316, 27 March 1930, Page 4

The Waikato Independent. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1930. MATERNAL MORTALITY.

Maternal mortality, a matter of vital concern t*p this Dominion, has been brought before the people in an impressive manner of late, and it is encouraging to observe the response being made to the appeal for funds to help check New Zealand's high rate of mortality in this direction. A very excellent movement is the Obstetrical Society's appeal to raise £25,000 to endow a chair, and it was indeed pleasing to note the ready way in which the matter was taken up in Cambridge. The local objective is £IOO, and at the present time that amount is almost in sight. A few more pounds are required, but we feel sure that Cambridge will see to it that the objective is at least reached. ] The importance of the subject of maternal mortality cannot be over-estimated, and this is appreciated when it is mentioned that while New Zealand has the lowest general death rate, the lowest infantile death rate, and the lowest T.B. death rate, it is in a very invidious position so far as maternal mortality is concerned. When we remember that women perform a supreme duty and service to the country we should then sec to it that our black mark on the public slate is cleaned off. In maternal mortality at the present time New Zealand figures about fourteenth among the countries of the world, with a figure of 4.75 per 1000. Statistics show that in Sweden the amount of mortality is only 2.5, and, strange though it may seem, England and Wales, with their large cities, have a lower rate than our own country. As the Minister for Health, Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, stated the other day, the position is a most disturbing ons in a country like New Zealand, with its garden type of civilisation. Undoubtedly there is something seriously wrong, and no effort is too great to remedy the existing state of affairs. Recently the Minister stated that when he "was appointed to the Cabinet he found that the NeW Zealand Medical Diploma ranked high, but that the country was under the observation of the British Medical Council, because of the lack of obstetrical training of medical students. At the Medical 'School there was no matei-nity hospital directly associated with the institution. There were the St. Helen's Hospital, and the Batchelor Hospital, but these were not suitable for the required training. Arrangements were made for training at these hospitals, but the Government had now decided to build a special-hospital which would be available to students at the Medical School. The estimated cost was £50,000, but this would put the training of maternity students on a sound basis. Since coming into office the Government had , he staged, committed the country to an expenditure of £200,000. It will be appreciated from the Minister's statement that the Government is alive to the necessity of dealing with the country's high rate of maternal mortality, and we think that our readerg, will agree that the £200,000 is well spent, if it brings about the results that it must surely encourage. There is undoubtedly a progressive educational movement in the desired direction. Today we have the Plunkct Society doing better work than ever; we have the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union giving valuable assistance; and now we have the successful drive of the Obstetrical Society. All these efforts will combine to bring about better conditions in a sphere of life that means everything to this young country. Another phase of this important work has been stressed in the columns of the Press by Dr Nutting, of Taranaki. This gentleman declares that the appointment of a professor of obstetrics will not solve the whole problem, and draws attention to the important

part that may be played by the provision of annexes to public hospitals, to deal with maternity cases. Dr Nutting states that wherever the annexe has been adopted the maternal mortality has decreased, in support of which claim he cites the Stratford hospital annexe, where he claims that over 900 women have been attended without a single fatality. A prominent medical gentleman in South Auckland, discussing this matter with a Waikato Independent representative a few days ago, heartily endorsed Dr Nutting's views as sane and reasonable. He declared that when the professor of obstetrics was appointed, as he had no doubt the present campaign would assure, there was still a most important work to do, and that was on the practical side, in ensuring that the women who bore children should have proper treatment in buildings whci'9 proper conveniences were available. Even if our doctors are more highly trained on this question, said the gentleman in question, that will not avail very much in certain eases where the mothers are confined in homes that are altogether unsuitable, and where the most vital necessities are not available. There seems no doubt that the provision of annexes at the hospitals or at suitable centres is a very wise step, and Hospital Boards should be encouraged to do more in this direction, with a view to removing the reproach that attaches to New Zealand in this matter that so vitally affects the progress and welfare of the race.