Value of its Medical Work
p. 79 · Read in the full issue
Melanesian Mission
A NEW medical centre solely for exam ■^*L ining and treating natives, has just been opened on Ugi Island, British Solo mons, by the Melanesian Mission. This hospital station is under the charge of Sister Estelle Field, with a fully trained assistant, Sister C. Woods.
The principal hospital is situated at Fauabu on the island of Malaita, and has modern plant and equipment valued at £6,000. Another two are at Lupun, on the New Britain Coast, and Lolowai, in the New Hebrides. These three medical centres are in addition to the large, well-equipped hospital at Fauabu, under the control of Dr. Clifford James, who is well-known in New Guinea where he spent a number of years at Rabaul.
It is understood that the 8.5.1. Admini stration has bought the small island of Bassakanna, near Fauabu, and that a leprosarium will be established there.
The leper hospital will be under the supervision of Dr. James, and will em body many of the features and ideas gained by him during his visit to Mako gai Leper Settlement in Fiji a few months ago.
Through the kind offices of an English supporter, the Melanesian Mission has received a legacy which, with exchange, exceeds £l,OOO. The Mission will purchase a launch in Australia, which will be at tached to the Fauabu Hospital and will be used exclusively to enable the medical staff to visit native villages along the Malaita coast.
Too much emphasis cannot be laid on the value of the medical work being done by the Melanesian Mission and other mis sionary organisations in the South Seas.
Critics, who are inclined to scoff at Missions in general and ridicule “psalm singing and soul-saving,” could with profit examine the medical side of the Missions’ activites. Even a casual perusal of their medical reports, and a note of the quiet efficient way in which they are tackling, with the help of the various Governments, the stupendous task of ministering to the health needs of Pacific Islanders particularly the primitive people of Melanesia —would bring con viction to their minds, despite their ancient prejudices.