ENG-1975 — Page 112

HEALTH

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year. Mass inoculation against the disease has brought about a rapid decline in the number of cases, and they are now rare. However, immunisation will have to be continued to maintain a high level of immunity among children to safeguard against the re-introduction of the disease.

Poliomyelitis has also been brought under control with no cases reported in 1974 or 1975. Oral vaccine is offered at family health service centres and a general im- munisation campaign is carried out in January and March each year. About 95 per cent of infants receive one dose of polio-vaccine soon after birth and 81 per cent of the infants receive two or three doses of the trivalent vaccine later. Epidemiological surveillance of the disease is being maintained.

Measles is most prevalent among children under five years and the pattern of infection is characteristically biennial. Measles vaccine has been made available free to the public since 1967 and is included in the immunisation programme. Campaigns were conducted three times in 1975 to combat the return of the biennial pattern.

Viral hepatitis shows a cyclic peak recurrence every third year and 1975 saw an upsurge of cases reported. Most cases are among adolescents and adults, and a higher proportion is found among men. Steps were taken to promote more complete reporting and investigation of the disease.

Family Health

The Family Health Service offers a comprehensive health programme which in- cludes family planning, ante-natal, post-natal, and maternity services; health education for mothers; special infant and toddlers welfare sessions; and preventive immunisation schedules for children. The service operates 39 centres-22 of which are full-time and the others on a sessional basis—and also 23 maternity homes. Home visits are made by health visitors and nurses to advise mothers or to follow-up defaulters of the health programmes.

In 1975 more than 96 per cent of babies born attended the centres for child health service, and there was an increase in the number of attendances at family planning clinics. The Family Health Service plays an important role in maintaining and promot- ing the health of women of child-bearing age and children from birth to five years.

School Health

The School Medical Service is operated by the School Medical Service Board, an independent body incorporated by ordinance. Participation is voluntary and for $5 a year school-children receive medical treatment. The government contributes $20 a year per enrolled pupil and covers the board's administrative expenses.

The School Health Service is a government responsibility and is concerned with the environmental health and sanitary condition of school premises and the control of communicable diseases in schools. Routine inspection of schools is undertaken by school health inspectors, while immunisation of schoolchildren against the major in- fectious diseases is arranged by health officers.