Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health [to] the Corporation of the City of Capetown.

  • Cape Town (South Africa). City Health Department.
Date:
[1964]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health [to] the Corporation of the City of Capetown. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    9/112
    Deaths from the disease continue to decline, except in the case of the Bantu who, owing to their migratory character, do not provide a suitable group on which to base statistical figures The number of contacts of known cases attending the clinics for examination showed a slight fall. The ever-popular and indispensable mass radiography service was used to its full capacity and once again was responsible for detecting many cases in their earliest stages Dental Branch. The dental clinics continue to work to capacity. Conservative treatment for non-White school children has now been undertaken on an organised basis. Surveys indicate, however, an enormous field which can only be covered by greatly increased personnel and finances. I had the opportunity of appearing before, and giving evidence to the Commission of Enquiry into the Fluoridisation of Public Water Supplies set up by the Minister of Health in October, 1964. There is little doubt that this important public health prevention measure is long overdue, but it would be advisable to await the outcome of the Commission’s report before taking the matter any further. Child Welfare. Progress in this Branch includes the erection of a new creche and nursery school at Retreat, and the demolition of the old child welfare clinic in Station Road, Claremont, preparatory to the erection of a more modern clinic on the same site. The attendance figures at child welfare, ante-natal and immunisation sessions continue to increase and the clinics — especially those in the new non-White townships — are working to near full capacity. Attendances at post-natal sessions have also increased considerably during the year. The opportunity of also carrying out Papanicolou smears at these latter sessions has played an important part in the early detection of cervical cancer. Environmental Sanitation. Food samples taken for analysis under the Food, Drugs and Disinfectants Act, No. 13 of 1929, led to many more applications for Court proceedings than in the previous year. The illegal use of preservatives in minced meat was responsible for much of this increase. Building activity during the year in the city has been of such magnitude that additional health in¬ spectoral staff had to be seconded to deal with the flood of plans w'hich required scrutiny for public health requirements. The year marked the end of the invasion of the central city areas by hawkers and their push-carts. While the department has no jurisdiction over canning factories located outside its boundaries, an opportunity did arise to raise a matter with the Department of Health and the South African Bureau of Stan¬ dards. A complaint of a cockroach in a tin of canned steak carrying the mark of the Bureau was submitted to the Department of Health to investigate and take necessary action to deal with the problem. Good progress is being made in the closing of horse stables in the Maitland/Brooklyn area. It is hoped that by the end of 1965 all stables in this area will have been closed. The conversion of butcher vehicles from the open prairie wagon type with canvas covers to an all metal vehicle has now been completed. Certain other local authorities have shown great interest in the regulations which have made such possible. Housing. 1,812 (1,782 Coloured and 30 Bantu) municipal housing units were constructed during the year. Not¬ withstanding these satisfactory figures, the demand for new houses by the non-White group, particularly the Coloureds, as the result of Group Area decisions and the natural decay of many of the dwellings in the older part of the city, is as great and pressing as ever. Over 8,000 names are on the waiting list of the City Hous¬ ing Manager. Bonteheuwel and Kalksteenfontein Housing Estates were practically completed during 1964 and a commencement made to erect a further 3,200 units both economic and sub-economic in the latter months of the year at Heideveld. This new township is located immediately to the South of the National Road and the Bonteheuwel Township. Situated in this Estate will be the normal ancillary child welfare and maternity clinics, shopping centres, open spaces, playgrounds, schools, churches and recreational facilities. It is quite obvious that more units will be necessary so as to rehouse the many members of the com¬ munity still resident in slums. No steps — apart from a preliminary meeting with the City Engineer regarding the slum clearance of the central ’District Six’ area — were carried out. More action in regard to slum clear¬ ance in this priority area must be contemplated for 1965- Only 30 housing units were erected at Guguletu Bantu Township during the year under review. Per¬ mission to enlarge the township was obtained during the latter portion of the year and extensive additions will be proceeded with during 1965. Acknowledgments. I desire to acknowledge with appreciation and gratitude the loyal support and ever willing assistance given me by all members of my staff. I have also to thank the other Heads of Departments for their full co¬ operation in dealing with the many aspects of health which impinged on their activities. To the Chairman and Members of your Health Committee, as well as other Members of the Council, may I also say a big thank you for all their consideration and much appreciated support at all times. I am, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, E.D. COOPER, M.D., F.R.C.P.fGlasg.), D.P.H. (Glasg.), F.R.S.H. City Health Department, Professor of Public Hygiene, University of Cape Town. Libertas, Medical Officer of Health. Hertzog Boulevard, CAPE TOWN. July, 1965-