Annual medical and sanitary report / Swaziland.

  • Swaziland. Medical Department
Date:
[1950]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual medical and sanitary report / Swaziland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    41/94 page 20
    -20- defective drains, and a circular letter, indicating the measures necessary to rectify existing conditions, was addressed to all house-holders in the urban areas of Goedgegun, Bremersdorp and Mbabane. Routine inspections of these premises is now being carried out. (iii) School Hygiene. The systematic inspection of schools throughout the Territory has been commenced. Health conditions at various schools have been investigated and the Principals have been'advised regarding sanitation and other health requirements. The pupils at St. Marks School, the Trades School, Mbabane, and the Swazi National School, Matapha, were medically examined at the beginning of each term. The latter school was visited by Medical Officers on twelve occasions, and there were 1696 attendances at the School Clinic. (iv) Labour Conditions. Slow but sustained improvement has been noted in this field. (v) Buildings. Proposals have been submitted to Local Authorities with the object of attaining uniformity in the form and method of presentation of building plans, and the introduction of legislation governing the construction and use of buildings and their appurtenances, in urban areas, has been recommended. 22 plans were examined at the Health Office, and 14 at Medical Headquarters. The improvement in the standard of housing for Europeans and Africans is being maintained, and a number of new buildings have been erected in various parts of the Territory. Ten type houses for European Government officials have been built in the following situations, certain improvements having been effected in the design^ Mbabane 4, Bremersdorp 3> Goedgegun 2, Hlatikulu 1. Five improved type houses were constructed for the use of African staff, but this section of the building programme was curtailed pending a decision being reached regarding modifications in design. (vi) Food in relation to Health and Disease. (a) Trade Premises. Routine inspections of trade premises were carried out in all urban areas, and owners and occupiers were called upon to comply with certain sanitary requirements. No legal proceedings were instituted, as it was considered that in the initial stages of the Public Health Campaign, an attempt should be made to attain as much progress as possible by means of advice and persuasion. An endeavour is being made to regularize the health control of trade premises, and in this connection Local Authorities are being encouraged to refer all applications to this Department before licences for new trade premises are granted. The following foodstuffs were condemned as unfit for human consumption, and destroyed: - 246 tins of meat, fish and canned fruit. 25 lbs. of icing sugar (soiled). 15 boxes of oats (soiled by rats). (b) Meat Supplies. With the assistance of the Veterinary Department, a regular system of meat inspection was instituted at Mbabane and Bremersdorp, with effect from 1st July 1950, and this service will be extended to Stegi, Goedgegun and Hlatikulu, as soon as the abattoirs now under construction at these stations are completed. The following are the figures for meat inspection carried out by the Health Inspector and Stock Inspectors during the period 1st July-31st December 1950:
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