The operating theatre at Samarai Administration Hospital

Abstract

The operating theatre at Samarai Administration Hospital. Between 1949 and 1960 the number of Medical Personnel employed by the Department of Health increased from 1,526 to 3,624. At 30th June, 1960, there were in the Territory 4,569 medical personnel, including 3,786 native medical workers of whom 3,092 were employed by the Administration. Until 1959, native trainees were sent to the central Medical School, Suva, for training as Native Medical practitioners. Since then training has been available at the new Medical School at Port Moresby. In April, 1961, 217 native trainees were being trained as Assistant Medical Practitioners, Assistant Dental Practitioners and in auxiliary health fields. At 30th June, 1960, Administration hospitals had been established at 104 centres and Mission hospitals at 101 centres. During 1959-60 the Department of Public Health, the Missions and the Native Local Government Councils spent a total of £3,604,608 on health services. Of this sum the Department of Public Health provided £3,450,291.