§ Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the percentage of persons suffering from tuberculosis in Singapore; what hospital accommodation there is for dealing with these cases; how many specialists there are, trained in thoracic surgery in the Colony for dealing with this disease: and what steps are being taken to prevent it spreading.
§ Mr. Lyttelton,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 1st July, 1953; Vol. 517, c. 393–4], supplied the following informationThe statistics available in Singapore suggest that between 1 and 2 per cent. of the Colony's population of more than a million may be suffering from tuberculosis. Over 500 beds are in constant use for the treatment of this disease, and an increase to 1,100 beds is proposed in the Medical Plan. Three senior surgical specialists are available to undertake thoracic surgery, and a special Chest Surgery Unit is included in the Medical Plan.
Steps taken to prevent the spread of the disease include
- (i) a continuous campaign for tuberculin testing and B.C.G. vaccination;
- (ii) a scheme of allowances for T.B. treatment the first of its kind in the East, on which $1,000,000 will be spent this year;
- (iii) the work of Almoners and Health Visitors who are in close contact with the Tuberculosis Institution;
- (iv) a campaign for health education conducted by Government and the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association with the help of the Government Public Relations Department and voluntary agencies directed particularly to the dangers of spitting;
- (v) voluntary contributions towards the treatment, in isolation, of chronic sufferers from tuberculosis