Report of the Department of Health / New Zealand.

  • New Zealand. Department of Health.
Date:
[1965]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Department of Health / New Zealand. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/112 (page 16)
    numbers of such births over the period 1954 to 1961 which is largely attributable to the greater number of births to mothers under the age of 21 years. (A change in registration took place in 1962 which resulted in the Maori figures being aggregated with the European, thus making comparison difficult after 1961.) The problem is causing concern because the long waiting lists of people wishing to adopt babies have markedly decreased. The actual number of adoptions taking place has not fallen and in fact has risen, but there are now more women in the age group producing illegitimate babies than in the older group who normally would wish to adopt. How does this affect the Health Department? While it is clear that the illegitimate pregnancy, birth, and child carry a higher risk, the effect on a mother of a situation where it may become difficult to get a baby adopted must be considered, and abortion is obviously one solution that might be resorted to if a home is not going to be available for an unwanted babv. It is therefore essential that the State should be j in a position to help when homes for such babies are needed. Reports have been received that hospitals are retaining babies because of the difficulty of finding adoptive parents or foster homes, but a hospital is no place for a baby when it is fit and well. In an attempt to estimate this problem a census will be taken in the very early part of 1965. Since the higher number of illegitimate births occurs among what might be called “teenage mothers”, the question must be raised of what can be done to prevent this increase. It is obvious from the demands that come from parents and from schools that more knowledge of what is better called “Education for Family Life” rather than “Sex Education” is required, and this demand our medical officers and nurses are attempting to meet. Congenital Defects—The number of babies discovered at birth with congenital defects, as well as the type of defect, is now being notified to the Department. This will enable a close watch to be kept for any significant increase. This scheme unfortunately does not include all congenital defects but is a definite improvement on the existing situation. Child Health By the end of 1964 only one district was without a medical officer, though there were several areas still understaffed. The Department employed 51 medical officers on child health work of whom 25 were on a full-time basis. Part-time staff was the equivalent of 15 full-time, giving a total effect of 40 full-time officers. Pre-school Children As was envisaged by the change in policy, there was an overall decrease in the total numbers of examinations. It is gratifying, however, to report that there was again an increase in the number of Maori children examined. School Children Although the total number of school children examined by medical officers has decreased, the time spent on individual examinations has increased greatly as the new policy aims at providing examination of those children who are in need of it.