Medical School

Graduates

Value of "Social Medicine"

Stressed

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Dec. 22.

SEVEN students of the Central Medical School, Suva, completed their four years’ course at the end of 1947.

A Graduation Day ceremony was held at the Legislative Council Chamber on December 19, The students were:— Semesa Gucake Serevatu and Tevita Alatini Babiyau (Fijian); Ram Singh (top fourth-year student of 1947) and Kanhaiya Lai (Fijian born Indians); Penisimani Latulu (Tongan); Tapu Leota (Samoan); and Puta Lofinga from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

Colony).

Addresses were given by the Acting Governor (Mr. J. F. Nicoll) and the In spector-General of the South Pacific Health Service (Dr. J. C. R. Buchanan), who is also Director of Medical Services, Fiji. High tribute was paid to the work of Dr. D. W. Hoodless, who retired in 1946 after nearly 20 years as principal of the school.

“The school still prospers and its in ternational reputation stands high,” said Dr. Buchanan. “I can say that with some assurance, because the American medical school recently instituted at Guam is based on the Suva model, and I am informed that in Papua-New Guinea, a similar institution is being considered.

“We are now in what may be called the preventative age, and there is fast developing a special aspect of public health which I venture to prophesy will before very long be regarded as one of the most important subjects in under graduate education. I refer to Social Medicine.

“Social Medicine really means the ap plication of the principles of medicine in the homes of the people and not only in the hospitals ... It will often be extremely difficult to adjust the faults in modes of life, in housing and in diet which lead to disease, but that is no reason why a defeatist attitude should be adopted.”

Mr. D. C. Trench, formerly First As sistant Secretary of the Western Pacific High Commissioner, Suva, has now been appointed Secretary for the Development of Native Affairs, British Solomon Is lands.