Annual report of the Medical Department / Tanganyika Territory.

  • Tanganyika. Medical Department.
Date:
[1956]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Medical Department / Tanganyika Territory. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    7/102 (page 1)
    Annual Report of the Medical Department for the year 1956 PART ONE I.—GENERAL REVIEW As this Annual Report has of necessity to be written as soon as possible after the close of the year under review, it is not practicable to include in it detailed statistical information. Such information when it is received, collated and analysed in Headquarters will be published later in 1957 as Part II of the Annual Report. Such figures as are quoted in this present report although generally accurate are subject to confirmation or correction. 2. In the previous year’s report reference was made to administrative reorganization being carried out within the Department, the end being to base the Department’s administration on the provincial organization rather than upon the four unwieldly regions which had existed since 1950. Reorganization was completed early in the year, and now Provincial Medical Officers in the eight provinces are directly responsible to Medical Headquarters. These officers carry responsibilities and duties comparable to those of the Assistant Directors of Medical Services in charge of the former regions. This arrangement has in practice proved itself to be satisfactory and there has been an undoubted improvement in administrative efficiency. Provincial Medical Officers normally, but not necessarily, hold the rank of Senior Medical Officer except in the Lake Province, the medical and political importance of which is considered to justify the appointment of an Assistant Director of Medical Services to carry out the duties of Provincial Medical Officer. 3. Throughout the year direction of the Department was effected from Headquarters office in Dar es Salaam by a Director, who had to assist him a Duputy Director and two Assistant Directors. As much time as was possible was spent by these officers touring the territory, and for the greater part of the year at least one officer was constantly on safari. 4. Reorganization in the Central Medical Store in Dar es Salaam, which was under way towards the end of 1955, was carried some steps forward during the year and the efficiency of the organization was substantially improved. Reorganization, which included necessary increases in staff, had the effect of speeding up deliveries of supplies to indenting units, and the position was reached when delay between receipt of indent and despatch of stores was reduced to the absolute minimum. Reports from up-country officers make it clear that the l