The annual report of the Medical and Health Departments, Kedah and Perlis.

  • Kedah and Perlis. Medical Department.
Date:
[1938]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The annual report of the Medical and Health Departments, Kedah and Perlis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/102
    INTRODUCTION. The following report is composed of two sections, one dealing with the work of the Kedah Medical Department, the second part being an account of the work performed by the corresponding department of the State of Perlis. Kedah (area = 3,648 square miles; population = 474,800) and Perlis (area = 310 square miles; population = 52,700) are two Unfederated Malay States, entirely separate from each other politically, but bearing a close relation in other important respects, e.g. geographically, in composition of population and in similarity of main health problems. The analogy between the two States in these respects offers sufficient justifi¬ cation for a combined medical report; but a further reason is afforded by th^ fact that the Head of the Kedah Medical Department (State Surgeon) functions as the Official Supervisor of the Perlis Medical Department, the link drawing togefher the Medical Departments of the two States being thus strengthened. From the med'cal point of view Kedah and Perlis are very similar to each other; the difference between them is merely one of relative size and degree of development. It is gratifying to note that the various elements of the Kedah “ Scheme ” adumb¬ rated in the introduction to last year’s report have been successfully put into effect. Obviously it is far too early to begin to search for benefits resulting from the introduction of the various measures outlined therein, especially in the case of the kamoong midw'fe service. The seven women who finished their training during the past years, rnd who were actually posted to their kampongs, have an uphill fight not only in gaining the confidence of the people by overcoming the highly developed natural conservatism op the Malays, who look on any alteration of the old regime with grave suspicion, but also in combating the subterfuges of the old bidans, whose militant opposition to the coming of the Government midwife is a factor to be reckoned with. The bidans’ objection is easily understood; the qualified midwife has come to oust her and deprive he^ of her “legitimate ” trade. Preparation of the ground by propaganda, and the exceedingly helpful co-operation of District Officers and Penghulus have resulted in immediate success even beyond the most sanguine expectations. Six more midwives will be posted to kampongs during next year, and six new pupils will commence their training. The reorganization of the Health Division has necessitated an increase in staff, the most important of which being an additional post of Assistant Health Officer, primarily intended for general health work in North Kedah, but concentrating his activi¬ ties on laying the foundations of a regular School Medical Inspection Service, and starting a Venereal Diseases Clinic. The Government’s approval for the increase in staff has been granted. The Dental Department is rapidly developing. Next year a dental mechanic will be available: January . . February . . March April May June July August September October November December . . New cases. 101 63 82 71 122 134 168 105 92 91 50 96 Repetitions. 112 66 83 51 102 116 102 36 71 73 66 110 Success in the first steps of development of the Department has been a strong incentive towards elaborating further developments, the most important of which are the institution of a Tuberculosis Department at the General Hospital and the establish¬ ment of a Venereal Disease Clinic as a special branch of the Town Dispensary at Alor Star. The putting into effect during the next financial year of both of these depart¬ mental expansions, a short outline of which follows, has received the Government’s approval.