October 23, 2019

Sibu Public Health in the 1950's and 60's

Since 1952 the Council had assumed the responsibility for the maternity and child health services. It started with two (2) trained Assistant Health Visitors to run the Clinic under the supervision of the Divisional Medical Officer.

My mother brought my sisters and brother regularly to get our injections at the MCH clinic while she herself attended clinics for mothers. She had 7 children in 7 children in 11 years.

In 1968, SUDC Clinic had a Health Sister, two (2) Senior Staff Nurse, a Staff Nurse, a Senior Midwife, eight (8) Midwives, six (6) Assistant Visitors, a Laboratory Technician and two (2) Clerks.

Night call service was provided and attended by trained midwives. The maternity and child health services were taken over by the Medical and Health Department in 1979.

Midwives cycled to attend to birth even at night. They took over from the barefoot midwives from the different communities. Amazingly after the Second World War, the infant mortality rate in Sibu area was not high at all.

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The Council did not have its own Health Inspectorate until 1957. The responsibility was solely carried out by Health Inspectors from Medical Department under the Divisional Medical Officer. The work was done in close cooperation with the Council staff. In 1958, the Council started its direct service after securing a Senior Health Inspector on secondment from Medical Department. It had its own Health Superintendent in 1963. Health work in the Council was then set up on a sound footing. Ever since, there were significant progress in many fields, such as environmental and sanitation.

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