Annual report of the Medical Department / Nyasaland Protectorate.

  • Nyasaland. Medical Department.
Date:
[1952]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Medical Department / Nyasaland Protectorate. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    21. Dr. T. A. Austin, c.m.g., Zonal Public Health Medical Officer of the World Health Organization Regional Organization spent a month in the Territory during May and June. He carried out a survey of the Government Health Services on behalf of the World Health Organization and gave advice on the assistance that could be given by the Organization towards the development of these Services. Dr. Austin was Director of Medical Services of Nyasaland from 1942 to 1946. 22. Professors Louis Berner and Archie Carr of Florida University, undertook an entomological and ecological survey of the area to be developed by the Shire Valley Irrigation Project. They were accompanied on their survey during August and September by a member of the Health Inspectorate. Bilharzia, malaria, filariasis and onchocerciasis problems were studied in relation to present incidence, vectors, intermediate hosts and the prevention of these diseases in the areas which will be affected by the Irrigation Project. 23. Dr. C. C. Chesterman, o.b.e., paid a short visit at the end of October to study the systems of training of African male medical and health auxiliaries in Nyasaland. This visit was made in connection with a study of the systems in vogue in the African Colonial Territories of Britain, France and Belgium, and in Southern Rhodesia. 24. Dr. R. G. Cochrane, m.d., f.r.c.p., Medical Secretary of the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association, spent ten days touring the institutions engaged in the treatment of leprosy in Nyasaland. His visit and advice was greatly appreciated by all those with whom he came in contact during his tour of the Territory. 25. Mr. E. F. King, f.r.c.s., Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Westminster Hospital, represented the Panel of Medical Visitors of the Nuffield Foundation. Mr. King spent four days in Zomba at the end of November, where he gave clinical demonstrations on the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. He operated on a number of cases at the Zomba African Hospital. His visit was a most valuable one in a country where there is no specialist ophthalmic service. He addressed the local Branch of the B.M.A. on Cortisone in the treatment of Eye Diseases. 26. Dr. Alan Mozley, Ph.D., paid a private visit to the Protectorate lasting some three weeks during December. His purpose was to study the snail vectors of bilharzia in Nyasaland and to gain information on the methods of control that could be developed most economically. D. Financial 27. The estimated expenditure of the Department during 1952, exclusive of that chargeable to the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund, was 8.166 per cent, of the estimated total ordinary expenditure of the Protectorate, and 6.15 per cent, of the estimated total expenditure. 28. The basis of administration of Colonial Development and Welfare Fund allocations to the Protectorate was altered with effect from 1st January, 1951. The unexpended balance of the allocation to the Medical Department is now being used to assist the development expenditure of the Department rather than to meet expenditure on specific projects. The yearly allocations for the period 1951 to 1955 become a fixed percentage of the Department’s actual annual expenditure in each of the five years, subject to an annual maximum of £35,000. The total estimated expenditure for the year, 1952, was £255,699 of which £80,000 was defined as expenditure on development. Of this latter amount 35 per cent.', subject to a maximum of £35,000, is the grant to be made from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds. Under this system the main heads of development expenditure for 1952 were estimated to be:— £ (1) General duty staff and adequate provision for transport and travelling 19,000 (2) Provision of well equipped central curative units .. .. .. 35,000 (3) Training more African auxiliaries .. .. .. • • 10,500 (4) Reorganization of the leprosy service .. .. .. .. 5,500 (5) Modern Mental Hospital (equipment and increased recurrent costs) .. 7,000 (6) Smallpox control and insect vector control .. .. • • 3,000 Total .. .. £80,000 29. The total revenue of the Department amounted to £15,134—10s—2d as against £10,032-4s-4d collected during 1951. This does not include the revenue from the sale of anti-malarial drugs through Post Offices. Revenue was collected under the following Heads;— Hospital Fees Sale of Stores Pathological Fees Radiological Fees Dental Fees Ambulance Fees Yellow Fever Inoculation Fees Total 1951 1952 £ s d £ s d 6,822 8 rr 7 9,304 7 10 1,811 8 3 3,952 4 8 31 4 6 21 0 0 695 10 0 749 12 6 606 3 0 1,055 19 6 60 14 0 48 7 8 4 16 0 2 18 0 .. £10,032 4 4 £15,134 10 2