Annual report of the Health Department / City Council of Singapore.

  • Singapore. City Council. Health Department.
Date:
[1959]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Health Department / City Council of Singapore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/104 (page 8)
    the Federation and Sarawak. The prompt action and efficient co-operation of the Ministry Staff and the City Council Health Department Staff prevented the occurrence of further cases. The discovery of most of the contaminated food in the shortest time was instrumental in preventing further deaths. LEAD POISONING A case of lead poisoning was reported from General Hospital during the month of August 1959. The patient, an adult female who was treated for heart palpitation was given Chinese drugs by a Chinese Sinseh” with “Ban C huan pills coated with “Chu Sa” powder. On investigation, these pills were found to contain, 4,800 parts per million of lead. Legal action was taken against the Chinese “Sinseh” and he was convicted. ANAEMIA AND CYANOSIS In November 1959 a number of children were admitted to the General Hospital suffering from anaemia and cyanosis. They were said to have taken overdoses of phenacetin from some Chinese drug which was reported to have been manufactured in Canton known as “Chin Foong Sun and ”Pau Ying Tang”. In fact, on investigation it was found to be manufactured locally. 861 cartons containing 10 powders each were found at the manufacturer s premises and they were sealed. On analysis it was found that the content of phenacetin in “Chin Foong Sun” was 39.7 per cent and in “Pau Ying Tang” 27.5 per cent. In the resultant prosecution, the Court ordered forfeiture of the sealed stock of the fever powders. MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT There are now more and more confinements in the hospitals, the people being more conscious of the better facilities provided in the Kandang Kerbau Hospital. The number of confinement cases referred from Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital for post-natal domiciliary aftercare by City Council mid¬ wives has increased tremendously during the past two years. In 1958 there were 14,106 cases and in 1959, 15,207. This has actually taxed the staff considerably especially as there were a number of resignations with no replacements of staff. Because of the shortage of staff, and more work at the Clinics due to increased attendances of infants, toddlers and post-natal mothers, the remaining staff of Health Visitors were not able to do their usual health visiting work during the year. This is very undesirable as the fundamental function of the department is health visiting and health educating in the homes. One new clinic was ready for opening at Stirling Road, but because of the difficulty in the recruitment of staff, this clinic could not be opened during the year. The quarters attached to this clinic is used by the two midwives who are now providing a domiciliary midwifery service for that area. During the year, the administration of all creches was transferred to the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Law, to comply with the policy of integration of City Council Departments into various Ministries. INTEGRATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND RURAL BOARD WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES Rural Board The Rural Board ceased to exist on 10th July, 1959 and the functions of the various Rural Health Departments in the various District Councils were merged into the City Health Department.