Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria.

  • Victoria. Commission of Public Health.
Date:
[1973]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Commission of Public Health to the Minister of Public Health / Department of Public Health, Victoria. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    34/40 (page 34)
    interest in public health in general. The topics covered included infectious disease control, nutrition, environmental pollution, population control, the work of the Department, smoking and health, sex education and venereal disease. In all 620 community groups were visited and the total number of persons reached estimated at approximately 34,250. Much emphasis was placed on involving secondary schools in particularly the drug education programme, in its broadest sense, to include tobacco and alcohol, and principals of all secondary schools in the State have now been informed of the Centre’s programme. The response on the part of the schools was encouraging and speakers now discuss this subject with students, staff and parents. In 1972 the Drug Education Advisory Committee initiated a drug conference for secondary teachers which was held at Monash University in April-May, 1973 and was attended by 440 teachers. Information about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs was given during the two days of the conference, one aim of which was to encourage teachers to return to their own schools and initiate health education programmes. This conference was of particular significance in that it was planned jointly by the Departments of Health and Education and the Victorian Foundation on Alcoholism and Drugs of Dependence. In May, 1973 a three-day residential seminar was held for secondary science teachers at Marysville. The programmes of training for community service groups continued and speakers who have been trained in these programmes contributed materially to the success of the total programme of drug education. Liaison has been maintained with voluntary agencies working in the field on health education, in particular the Victorian Foundation on Alcoholism and Drugs of Dependence and the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria. As in previous years, departmental speakers have assisted the latter body in its public education programme, aimed at informing the public of the dangers of cigarette smoking and of the value of breast self-examination for early detection of breast cancer in women and of the “ cell ” test in the early diagnosis of cancer of the uterine cervix. Twenty talks were given by departmental speakers as part of this programme. The Geelong Drug Information Service was assisted again by the Health Education Centre for the purposes of delivery of health education talks in relation to drugs in Geelong and surrounding areas. Civil Defence. During the year the General Health Branch was made responsible for the control of medical services during any civil emergency. Discussions have continued to devise an organization which will function in all emergencies. Ultimately, this will involve the provision of supplies, emergency hospital accommodation and medical manpower of all kinds instead of the present ad-hoc arrangements which operate on a voluntary basis. Pest and Rodent Control. As in previous years pest and rodent control involved advice and assistance to Melbourne Harbour Trust personnel engaged in this work throughout wharf areas, inspections of Government- owned premises including schools, hospitals and penal institutions and the provision of advice on control measures to management personnel. In addition, many householders were assisted in the alleviation or eradication of particular problems. Rat Infestation on the Waterfront. Rat infestation on the wharves remains at a low level due to the continuing programme of inspection and baiting of those areas susceptible to infestation. There were, however, periodic rat infestations in inaccessible areas and following the demolition and alteration of buildings and shipping berths. Rat Infestation in the State. There was a considerable reduction in the number of inspections by departmental officers of rat infested drains and premises and this was attributed to more and more municipal councils entering into contracts with reliable pest control firms whose services are available at short notice and continue until such time as the infestations are eradicated. A large scale survey of the city area was undertaken by the City of Melbourne following publication of a news item referring to a plague of rats. The results of this survey indicated that the report was unfounded.