Report of the Medical Officer of Health on the public health and sanitary circumstances of Johannesburg.

  • Johannesburg (South Africa)
Date:
[1973]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Medical Officer of Health on the public health and sanitary circumstances of Johannesburg. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/92 (page 6)
    The international immunisation service operated by the Department on behalf of the State Department of Health for many years was handed back on 1 October 1973- Three Council-controlled creches in the Black areas were trans¬ ferred to the Non-European Affairs Department in June 1973• Child Health Child health clinics were held at 63 venues with 109 weekly sessions. In the Black areas a Saturday morning session is available at each family health centre for the special benefit of the working mother. Except in the Coloured areas, attendances were less than those of the previous year for no obvious reason. Following a series of interesting lectures and demonstrations given by Dr A Muschen of the Lambeth Clinic in London, a developmental screening clinic for toddlers was started as a pilot study at one health centre. Medical officers of different racial groups now receive the same remuneration, with the result that a full complement has been available in the non-White areas. It was therefore possible to provide more medical coverage for infants at the child health c1inics. Domiciliary Visiting Domiciliary visiting remains one of the most important functions of the public health nurse. Once birth notifications are received, mothers of new babies are visited and advice given, if needed, especially on child care and feeding problems. Immunisation defaulters are reminded of the services available. Attenders at family planning, cancer prevention, child health and geriatric screening clinics as well as at one toddler clinic are visited and referrals made. The number of births investigated totalled 29 455, showing a decrease in Whites and Balcks, but a slight increase in the Coloured and Asian population groups. Fewer home visits were made than in the previous year especially in the Black areas. This difference may be accounted for by the increasing attention given to family planning clinics which form part of the routine duties of the public health nurse.