X-RAY EXAMINATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Health whether he will state how many school-children, expressed (i) in terms of the total number of (a) boys and (b) girls and (ii) as a percentage of (a) boys and (b) girls at school, have been X-rayed for signs of tuberculosis in 1952, 1953, 1954 and the first four months of 1955 respectively; what percentage of the total were X-rayed (a) in Government clinics and (b) at the S.A.T.A. clinic on behalf of Government; and what is Government's policy in this matter.

Mr A. J. Braga: (a) The number of school children, expressed separately for boys and girls (i) in total numbers and (ii) in percentages, who have been X-rayed for signs of tuberculosis in 1952, 1953, 1954 and the first four months of 1955 is as follows : - Year. Boys Girls Estimated No. Estimated No. Total No. X-rayed Percentage Total No. X-rayed Percentage --------- ------- ---------- --------- ------- ---------- 1952 102,200 2,939 2.87 52,900 3,643 6.88 1953 110,400 2,642 2.39 59,550 2,316 3.89 1954 113,300 4,860 4.29 64,650 2,480 3.99 First 4 months of 1955 129,400 1,014 0.78 77,900 1,038 1.33

(b) The percentage of the total X-rayed in Government clinics was 61.2 and at the S.A.T.A. clinic on behalf of Government 38.8.

(c) The present policy of Government is (i) to X-ray all school-children who on general medical examination show reasons to be suspect of tuberculosis infection and (ii) to X-ray all school-children who are known to have been in contact with a proved case of tuberculosis. This work is carried out to the limit of the capacity of X-ray centres in Singapore, and Government is grateful for the assistance given by S.A.T.A. in this matter.