Native Quarter

T.B. In Hanuabada

Medical Report on Bad Con dition of Port Moresby’s

THE Government of Papua is giving serious attention to a report made recently by Dr. F. W. Clements, of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, University of Sydney. Dr.

Clements reports on behalf of the first medical expedition from the School, which, at the request of Sir Hubert Murray, and with the co-operation of Dr. Strong (Chief Medical Officer) made a tuberculosis sur vey of Hanuabada village—the well known settlement, built on piles over the shallow water of Dogu Harbour, near Port Moresby, where about 2000 native Papuans live.

The survey gave the following result: The tuberculosis rate was found to be 21.5 per 1,000, and the tuberculosis death rate 700 per 100.000. There have been 38 deaths from tuberculosis in the last 2\ years, or an average death-rate of 15 per annum. The total death-rate from all causes in this village is 45 to 47 per annum.

From these figures it is obvious that the population of Hanuabada village is markedly affected with tuberculosis.

The cohdition of the Hanuabada vil lagers was known to the Papuan Govern ment and to the missions—which do much medical work —before Dr. Clements made his report: but it is probable that the latter report showed that the disease was more strongly established than was sus pected.

Sir Hubert Murray, before he left for Europe, placed £BOO on the next esti mates, wherewith to build a hospital for native sufferers from tuberculosis and leprosy, and this will be staffed and equipped in collaboration with the mission bodies.

Dr. Clements report probably will have the effect of hastening the construction of this very necessary hospital.

It is probable, also, that the local authorities will give some attention to the actual housing conditions in Hanuabada.

So far, the natives live almost wholly in native style—more than one family in one house; a cooking-fire always smouldering on an earthenware base in the middle of the house; and insufficient ventilation for the inhabitants. Dr. Clements points out that present conditions are very favour able for the spread of the tuberculosis.