Annual medical and sanitary report / Uganda Protectorate.

  • Uganda Protectorate. Medical Department.
Date:
[1921]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual medical and sanitary report / Uganda Protectorate. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    104/106 (page 102)
    Water Supply.—The European supply has been very poor owing mainly to the drought, and a tank at the spring is urgently required. Clearance of Bush and Undergrowth.—This is carred out by station labour. Recommendations for Future Word. Dr. Vassallo wishes it to be mentioned that he considers that a European Inspector will be very necessary, as since the present Bukedi District is to be split up and presumably the medical and sanitary staff will remain the same, it will throw a lot of heavy extra work on the shoulders of the Medical Officer. Of the buildings recommended in 1920, the medical store is still a very urgent necessity, as the hospital has been growing tremendously, and therefore much more accommodation for equipment, drugs, etc., is required. An English-writing clerk is, I consider, badly needed ; all the compounding and petty clerical work has to be done by the Medical Officer and Sub-Assistant Surgeon as well as the ordinary hospital duties, which involve a large number of inoculations, gland punctures for sleeping sickness cases, etc. None of the native staff has sufficient elementary education to be trusted with these duties, and if an English- writing clerk was available, who could be taught simple compounding locally, it would permit the Medical Officer and the Sub-Assistant 'Surgeon to pay better attention to the large numbers of important cases which are indoor and on our waiting lists, and enable the District Medical Officer to pay more attention to the needs of the district outside the station. At the end of 1920 the number of beds in the hospital was 35. At the end of the present year the number was 114. There are now a male general ward, a female general ward, a chronic cases ward, a small surgical ward, a prisoners ward, an Asiatic ward, a chiefs ward, and 8 venereal huts. The latter want rebuilding again. The chronic cases ward was meant to take the place of the venereal huts, but was filled as soon as completed, and more room is required to cope with the numbers of venereal cases, yaws, etc., on the waiting lists. A series of huts has been erected for the native staff. The hospital area has been enlarged, the plot next the Indian ward having been secured for the chiefs ward, which has been built up out of Lukiko funds. District Dispensaries.—One has just been opened at Bubulo, which I visited* this week. Lock-up cupboards, more vessels, etc., are required. A dispensary will shortly be opened at Nagongera, and one is in course of construction at Pallisa. Quarantine Camp, Mbale.—This has been rebuilt, it is situated rather too far from the Central Hospital for adequate control. Dr. Vassallo left notes saying he would like to point out the enormous expense these temporary buildings require for their upkeep and he hopes that in the near future permanent buildings will be erected, as it is unlikely that this hospital will ever be done away with, and on account of the district being split up, Mbale will remain the centre as regards hospital accommodation. Dr. Vassallo also desired to express his appreciation of the great assistance he has received from the Administration and Police Officials, and I personally am very grateful for the unstinting help I have received from all members of these departments since my arrival. Dr. Vassallo also wishes to express his thanks to Mr. K. R. Kanade, Senior Sub-Assistant Surgeon, for the excellent work he has done during the two years he was with him. R. G. GRIFFIN, District Medical Officer, Mbale.