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Maternity Benefits The new scale of fees was introduced early in 1945 after discussion between representatives of the B.M.A. and officers of the Department. The new scale provides a separate payment in respect of ante-natal services, together with revised fees for special emergency services, and an alteration in the mileage rates. Maternity-benefit payments are limited by the actual number of births, so that not only can expenditure be accurately forecast, but the necessary financial controls can be easily established. Medical Benefits Capitation Fees There has been a reduction in the amount of capitation fees paid this year in comparison with the previous year. This was to be expected, as the capitation scheme has certain disadvantages to both doctor and patient when working side by side with a fee-for-service system. The capitation system, however, is sound in principle, and it has yet to be proved that it is not the most satisfactory form of medical-insurance practice. General Medical Services The costs are still rising, and will continue to do so as fresh medical practitioners enter practice. Special Areas The special arrangements for medical practice in isolated areas utilizing the services of a salaried practitioner are working very satisfactorily both to the doctors and patients, and demonstrate, in certain rural areas at least, where in the past medical practice has always been difficult or impossible to obtain, that efficient services can be provided at reasonable cost. Advisory Committees Various advisory committees set up in connection with the administration of health benefits have functioned satisfactorily and have been of great value in the administration of the scheme. DIVISION OF MAORI HYGIENE Vital Statistics The mean Maori population was estimated to be 99,477, against 96,984 in 1943. The following table enables a comparison between Maori and European vital statistics : — Maori. European. Birth-rate per 1,000 population .. .. .. .. 45-32 21-59 Crude death-rate per 1,000 population .. .. .. 16-95 9-87 Infant-mortality rate per 1,000 live births .. .. .. 102-26 30-12 Maternal-mortality rate per 1,000 live births .. .. 3-33 2-65 Death-rate, tuberculosis (all forms), per 10,000 population .. 38-30 3-81 Maori Housing The Medical Officer of Health, Gisborne, who is a recent arrival in New Zealand, makes the s£me point as have his colleagues in past years. He writes : — " A very high percentage of the Maori houses in this district are in very bad repair and are grossly overcrowded and insanitary. From personal visits to Maori houses lam already convinced that no great improvement in Maori health as regards tuberculosis, scabies, or other conditions is remotely possible so long as so many of them are living under such overcrowded insanitary living conditions. It seems clear that the expenditure of effort and money which is being and has been made, as regards treatment of tuberculosis patients in particular, is made, very largely, to little purpose, and that the edifice of health should be built from a foundation of good housing and sanitation. In other words, money spent on improving Maori housing would produce bigger dividends in Maori health." GENERAL Industrial Hygiene Dr. J. M. Davidson, on loan from the Ministry of Labour and National Service, London, reported on the health of the industrial worker in New Zealand and submitted proposals for the development of a system of control. Demands for help and advice will continue to increase with the expanding industrial programme. Of special importance are the medical and engineering measures to prevent health hazards in various industries. The work of Dr. Davidson demonstrated the need for a Nurse Inspector for Industrial Hygieue to co-ordinate the work of the existing industrial nurses in the various centres and generally to guide such nurses in their work and ensure that the maximum benefit was obtained from their efforts. For this position a New Zealand nurse who holds a Diploma in Industrial Nursing, London, and who has had five years' experience in industrial nursing in England prior to her return to New Zealand, was appointed. Dr. Davidson's report appears in full as Appendix II to this report. Nutrition Every attempt has been made to maintain the nutritional state of our people. On the educational side there was an intensive campaign by radio, newspaper advertisements and articles, addresses to selected groups, and visits of the Department's mobile health exhibit to spread a sound knowledge of the principles of dietetics. A wartime edition of 10,000 copies of the booklet, " Good Nutrition," was published. It has since been necessary to authorize a reprint of 30,000 copies of this text-book to meet demands of educationists and the general public. A pamphlet, " The Family Food," has been prepared and will soon be available for mothers, for whom it is intended as a guide.

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