HOUSING CONDITIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22204, 25 November 1943, Page 4

HOUSING CONDITIONS

FACTOR IN TUBERCULOSIS MEDICAL RECOMMENDATIONS AUCKLAND, Thursday The regional conference for discussion of the control and treatment of tuberculosis adopted yesterday a series of recommendations from the medical delegates who had conferred the previous day. The recommendations were:—(l) That immediate provision be made for recruiting and trailing sufficient medical specialists, and that the attention of the Otago Medical School authorities be drawn to the need for special teaching in all branches of tuberculosis: (2) that national and regional tuberculosis councils be formed; (3) that, as efforts against tuberculosis were hampered by lack of a definite housing policy, a survey of the housing conditions of known tuberculosis cases be undertaken, and that in any housing scheme priority be given to the matter; (4) that hospital beards discuss with the Government the provision of special social security benefits for tuberculosis patients who were endeavouring to rehabilitate themselves. The following- suggestions were submitted by the Health Department, with application to the northern region:—(l) That all hospital boards establish chest clinics; (2) that boards take steps to provide eventually hospital and sanatorium accommodation on the basis or two beds to each annual death. Sanatorium Proposal (3) That a sanatorium of 150 beds, with a section for children, be established in the Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty area, and that extra accommodation on the same scale in North Auckland be considered; (4) that hospital boards undertake to assist other organisations in regard to occupational therapy, health camps for child contacts, rehabilitation, educational campaigns, and efforts to improve patients’ Jiving conditions; (5) that an improved notillcation form be adopted.

All the suggestions except, one were adopted. Regarding (3), it was decided tiiat separate comerences of boards in the northern and southern areas be held with a view to drawing up joint schemes.

A sub-conference representing nine country boards was held, and adopted the following recommendations: (l) That hospital, capital, maintenance and other charges relative to tuberculosis should be a national responsibility, and (2) that special measures- should ho taken to review the administration of social security beneflts to Maoris, together with means of bringing about improved feeding, housing, clothing and education in livgiene as an approach to the control of tuberculosis, the native leaders to be asked to co-operate.