Report of the Ministry of Health / [Ghana Government].

  • Ghana. Ministry of Health
Date:
[1955]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Ministry of Health / [Ghana Government]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/80 (page 15)
    THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER ON THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1955 INTRODUCTION To the Honourable Imoru Egala, m.l.a. Minister of Health Sir, I have the honour to submit a report on the state of the public health in the Gold Coast for the year 1955, together with an account of the work of the professional and technical services of the Ministry for the same period. The year 1955 saw the beiginning of the effects of the constitutional changes in the Gold Coast upon the health service. The Chief Medical Officer, his Deputy and all the Principal and Senior Medical Officers of overseas origin proceeded on leave prior to retirement during the year. Other officers who retired from the service during the same period included the Principal Matron, the Specialist Epidemiologist in charge of the Medical Field Units and one Specialist Pathologist. The development of the malaria control service also had to come to a stand still because of the retirement of the Medical Officer of Health in charge of the project. The usual shortage of full time medical staff on public health work was felt more keenly than ever, especially because of the extensive changes which took place at the topmost posts in the public health service. That the health service withstood this sudden jolt with no serious untoward effects is a credit to the fortitude and good sense of those who held their posts and did their duty. It must be made clear however that the forward outlook expected on the part of a progressive health department requires trained public health administrators. Vital Statistics are dealt with in Chapter I of the report. The last census was taken in 1948, so that population figures as estimated for 1955 may possess a significant error. Details in respect of registration of births and deaths apply only to certain areas of the country where these facilities are provided and are not themselves free from error. The information therefore given in this chapter must be interpreted in the light of these factors. It is not very reliable but by publishing it and pointing out the factors influencing it, steps may be taken by the appropriate authorities to improve the situation. Chapter II provides information on the incidence of the more important communicable diseases in the country. The prevalence of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers even in municipalities such as Accra only serves to remind us that we cannot in any way afford to be complacent about the public health. A few cases of yellow fever were reported from Kintampo. This was not a typical outbreak of urban yellow fever. The inci¬ dent appears to have been associated with the construction of the new road northwards from Kintampo and the opening up of that part of the county. The services of the Virus Research Institute of the West African Council for Medical Research were utilised but no conclusive evidence was produced to indicate that the out¬ break was one of jungle yellow fever. The scope and the extent to which the hospital services were used during the year are dealt with in Chapter III. Substantial progress has been made in the programme of providing new hospitals. Chapter IV deals with general public health including environmental sanitation. The matter of greatest concern in this chapter is the belated development of water-borne sewerage in the rapidly grow¬ ing municipalities. The architecture of these towns is changing. Several multi-storeyed buildings are in evidence everywhere on the main streets of Accra and Kumasi and yet the method of disposal of night soil is at its best only semi-rural. These evidences of poor co-ordination of the public health services are laying down the foundation for a repetition of the conditions which confronted the cities of Europe a hundred years ago in the wake of the industrial revolution. Chapter V deals with the report of the Medical Field Units, Chapter VI the Laboratory Service, and Chapter VII the Government Chemical Laboratory. These chapters are fully reported and were compiled by the Specialist Officers in charge of these organisations. The Medical Field Units probably went through the most critical period in its history during the year under review. The work of the organisation is now greatly expanded and the establishment of technicians has increased, but medical leadership is still weak owing to inadequate numbers of doctors. There is no doubt that for many years to come this mobile organisation must remain the mainstay of the public health service in the rural areas. Chapters VIII to XIII are the reports of the Tuberculosis Specialist, The Specialist Radiologist Specalist Anaesthetist, Specialist Psychiatrist, Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, and the Ophthalmic Special- list. The extension of radiological services is forging ahead, but the need for additional Radiologists requires to be more fully appreciated. The problem of overcrowding at the Mental Hospital in Accra still remains unsolved because of lack of funds. One solitary tuberculosis officer cannot be expected to deal adequately with the problem of tuberculosis throughout the length and breadth of the Gold Coast. Chapter XIV gives an account of the Maternity and Child Welfare Services in the country including a report on the Health Visiting Service. Chapter XV gives information on the training of auxiliary medical personnel, both locally and overseas, and Chapter XVI details the activities of the Statutory Boards concerned with the discipline and professional regulation of para-medical auxiliaries.