COOK ISLANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 270, 15 November 1932, Page 7

COOK ISLANDS

HEALTH OF NATIVES VALUABLE MEDICAL WORK WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. Dr. >S. Al. Lambert, of the Interna .iu.i.il Division of the Rockefeller Foundation, w.io has for a number of years been associated with thc campaign;' against yaws, hookworm, and othei diseases in the Western and South Pacific Island Groups, arrived in Wellington to-day from Rarotonga by tho Moaowai. Dr. Lambert has during the past few months been carrying out an investigation of the incidence of tuberculosis in the two principal islands of thc Cook Group. In addition to this work, the Rockefeller Foundation, he said, is now, in co-operation with thc Cook Island Administration, engaged in taking measures to prevent thc spread of such diseases as typhoid, dysentery, hookworm, etc. He regretted to say that tuberculosis is rather prev alent in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. He paid a tribute to the excellent results of the addresses on hygiene given by Dr. E. P. Ellison, medical officer al Rarotonga, who visits the native vil lagcs and explains to the people, in their own language, what should be done to prevent the occurrence and spread of infectious and other diseases. After Dr. Lambert’s healthy survey in 1925-26, intensive treatment for yaws and mass treatment for hookworm was carried out. There has been a marke 1 reduction in the prevalence of these two diseases. Speaking generally, the health of the natives, he said, is good. “I think the solution of most of the medical problems of the Pacific island groups will be brought about by thc training of native doctors,” said Dr. Lambert. “Thosw intelligent young men are receiving a four years’ course of medical and surgical training at the Medical School at Suva, Fiji, which was organised by the authorities of some six island groups, in co-operation with thc Rockefeller Foundation. Thc native doctors go back to their own islands and they are doing excellent work. They have the advantage of speaking tho language of the people and are acquainted with their customs and traditions; they are thus able to more easily win thc confidence of their own people.”