§ 91. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the incidence of tuberculosis and leprosy among the peoples of the Fiji Islands; what hospital treatment is provided; whether the supply of sulphones and other new drugs is sufficient to meet the needs of the patients; and what alternative to long-term segregation is being introduced.
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§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn an estimated population of 357,881 at 31st December, 1956, there were 606 notifications of cases of tuberculosis and 23 of leprosy. There are 335 beds in the Tamavua Hospital and 111 beds in district hospitals for the treatment of tuberculosis. The Tamavua Tuberculosis Hospital is to be enlarged by approximately 70 beds and, in addition, a B.C.G. campaign is being organised to cover all age groups from six months to 20 years, inoculation being carried out by four teams.
There are 622 beds at the Central Leprosy Hospital on Makogai. I am not aware of any shortage of drugs.
Tuberculosis patients are discharged when they have reached a non-infective state, always provided the clinical stage of the patient justifies this. Similarly, as soon as leprosy patients are non-infective, they are discharged and follow-up treatment and supervision is exercised through the normal health administration in the districts.