Report on the public health / Southern Rhodesia.

  • Southern Rhodesia. Department of Health.
Date:
[1934]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the public health / Southern Rhodesia. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/44 (page 13)
    The following table gives the number of patients treated during the at Ndanga and Mtoko native medical Units:— Patients Treated in 1934. In-patients. Out-patients. Total. Ndanga . . 5,140 7,021 12,161 Mtoko . . 923 7,756 8,679 6,063 14,777 20,840 (2) Native Labour on Mines. Disease.—Southern Rhodesia can be congratulated upon the reduction during recent years in the death rate from disease among native employees on mines, which in 1934 was the lowest on record in spite of the fact that the Colony employed a far greater number of native miners than in any previous year. That this reduction is the result of improved conditions and is not accidental is shown by the following facts. In the four years, 1926 to 1929, the death rate from diseases was 16.08 per thousand amongst an average number of 43,694 native employees. In the following four years, 1930 to 1933, the death rate from disease fell to 11.63 amongst an average number of 41,209 employees. In 1934 this rate was only 9.29 amongst an average number of 60,919 employees. There is no doubt that the owners of mines in Southern Rhodesia are humane and considerate to their native employees. Pneumonia, the principal enemy of the native miner, shows the greatest diminution. It is hoped that improving hygienic conditions and increasing knowledge will combine to reduce further the death rate from this cause. Accidents.—The death rate from accidents is practically stationary, having been for many years a little above the figure of 2 per thousand. Every such death is carefully enquired into, and it is probable that this rate is as low as can be anticipated in an occupation which contains unavoid¬ able risks. The accident death rate for the Transvaal is about the same. A senior officer of the Native Department is seconded for service on my staff, and devotes the -whole of his time to supervising health conditions of native mine employees. The beneficial results of supervision by a skilled officer, who is in an entirely independent position, cannot be over estimated. The following tables give details in regard to morbidity and mortality: 1. Natives on Mines : Comparative Statement of Mortality, 1930-1934. Twelve Months ended November 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934. Average number employed 45,969 35,790 35,466 47,080 60,919 Disease— Number of deaths . 692 477 341 438 566 Death rate per mille per annum. 15.05 13.33 9.61 9.30 9.29 Accidents— Number of deaths . 103 87 89 103 135 Death rate per mille per annum. 2.24 2.43 2.51 2.19 2.22 All Causes— Number of deaths . 795 564 430 541 701 Death rate per mille per annum. 17.29 15.76 12.12 11.49 11.51