Tribute to Native Health Nurses

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XIV, Issue 2, 1 April 1921, Page 99

Tribute to Native Health Nurses

(Extract from Annual Report of Medical Officer to Maoris.)

One of the most important branches of native health work is that being don- by the native health nurses. They see patients at their headquarters and visit the schools and villages m their districts. By health lectures and practical instruction, the preventive part of their work' is as important as the actual nursing of cases. In epidemics their services are invaluable, and have saved hospital boards much worry and expense. m typhoid cases where it is difficult to transport Maori patients to hospitals, they have started camps m the affected villages and nursed cases throughout. Not only has this got over the repugnance of the Maoris against entering hospital and parting From their relatives, but it is hoped that the general routine with regard to nursing, feeding, and disposal of excreta, etc., will prove of great educational value to the people. The Maoris realise and appreciate the good work being done by the nurses, and many districts are asking for nurses to be appointed. As the nurses have a wry strenuous time m many of the back dis-

tricts, it is necessary that at least they be comfortably housed. Some hospital boards have assisted, but many do not. If the housing problem could be solved, more nurses could be placed m districts which need them urgently. During the year nurses have been appointed to new districts at Dargaville, Opotiki, and Tolaga Bay. The nurse at Pakotai, Whangarei district, has done invaluable work" amongst the Maoris during the influenza recrudescence. The Board nurses at Whangaroa and Mokai do work amongsl tho Maoris. During the year the Hospital Hoard built a cottage at Taumaranui for the nurse. At llapua, m the farthestnorth settlement, the natives collected money which assisted m building a small cottage, which Xurse Fergusson, of Kaitaia, makes her headquarters m the district, during regular visits. Nurses are needed at Wanganui, Taranaki, Mohaka, and other districts. T consider the nursing branch of the Maori work the one that should be assisted and pushed on more than any others.