CO129-472 - Others - 1921 — Page 458

SINGAPORE

-5-

GENERAL REPORT

455

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

(Cont.)

is high, especially among the young members of the British community, who are by no means well- to-do, and, in many cases, are unable to afford the modern methods of treatment, under present conditions.

The adoption of the policy of free diagnosis for all hospitals and qualified medical practitioners would entail raising the salary of the Government Bacteriologist in order to make it a whole-time appointment. In the event of a joint scheme being adopted for Singapore and the Federated Malay States, the Bacteriological work for part of the Federated Malay States would probably be undertaken at the Singapore Laboratory.

The local Government Hospitals were visited; these are fairly well equipped and staffed.

A very considerable number of the patients are syphilitic, and intravenous injections are given for the treat- ment, but there is no systematic course. The patients usually insist on leaving the hospital as soon as they are recovered sufficiently to earn a living. No out-patient treatment is given at any of the hospitals. There is little treatment of gonorrhoea in men, and practically none in women. The two principal hospitals are situated a considerable distance from the centre of the town; venereal disease out-patient clinics would, therefore, necessarily have to be more central. The women's hospital is more accessible and could be adapted for the giving of modern venereal disease treatment.

A meeting of the members of the Legislative Council was called to enable the Commissioners to lay before them the case in favour of free diagnosle and treatment. We were assured that the proposal would receive their favourable consideration. Subsequently to the meeting the Colonial Secretary, the Acting Attorney General, and the unofficial members stated that the matter would be brought formally before the Legislative Council before the end of the financial year in order that provision could be made for the cost of the facilities suggested. We were advised that under the public health laws no fresh legislation is needed to enable the necessary arrangements for free treatment to be made; all that is necessary is authorisation for the increase of the public health estimates.

The P.C.M.0. in consultation with the Commissioners prepared a comprehensive scheme which included:-

(1)

(2)

The opening of four free clinics attached to existing hospitals in Singapore, together with auxiliary early preventive treatment centres which would be con- tinously open.

The opening of a clinic accessible to the dooks for the free use of seafarers of all nations, together with an auxiliary early preventive treatment centre.