GOVERNMENT TUBERCULOSIS SURVEY (Statistics)

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Health whether he will state-

(a) the total number of persons who have been X-rayed under the Government Tuberculosis Survey;

(b) what percentage of these persons showed evidence of tuberculosis, both healed and active;

(c) what percentage of these persons have been found to require active treatment; and

(d) whether there is a waiting list for the admission of infecting tuberculosis cases to hospital, including cases not discovered by the Survey.

Mr Braga: Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to (a), a total of 54,829 persons were X-rayed.

With regard to (b), the percentage varies with the locality surveyed. In the Jalan Sultan area where 20,288 residents were X-rayed, the percentage of persons showing evidence of tuberculosis both healed and active was 13.2. In the Chinatown area, of a total of 20,742 residents X-rayed, the percentage was 15.4. In the Bukit Panjang area, of a total of 5,168 X-rayed, the percentage was 7.2, and in the Geylang Serai area, of a total of 4,474 X-rayed, the percentage was 7.4.

With regard to (c), Sir, it is regretted that it is not possible to give a full answer because a full assessment has not been completed. Only in the Jalan Sultan area have investigations been substantially completed and, in consequence, it is possible only to give figures in that particular area. The percentage of those found to be suffering in the area from active tuberculosis is estimated to be 3.5. The reason for this estimate is this. From the Jalan Sultan area, 662 persons are now under treatment. That gives a percentage of 3.26, but of the 13.2, that is 2,675 persons, called for assessment, 219 have not yet turned up. We are trying to trace them by domiciliary service. An allowance therefore has to be made for those persons who might require treatment out of the 219 not yet assessed. That is why, Sir, we are giving an estimate of 3.5 instead of 3.26. Of these 662 persons, 213 were found to require hospital treatment, that is less than a third of those requiring treatment.

With regard to (d), there are about 850 persons on the waiting list. This includes some 56 cases found in the survey from all the four areas and, while on the waiting list, they are receiving out-patient treatment. It often happens that when one's turn arrives one's condition has so improved, Sir, that hospitalization becomes unnecessary.

Mr John Ede (Tanglin): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is a fact that a total of 80,000 persons were to have been X-rayed at the four centres, but will the Minister state why this figure fell short by about approximately 25,000?

Mr Braga: Mr Speaker, Sir, it must be realised that the figures quoted refer only to residents in the area under survey. There are some 4,000 persons X-rayed additionally. They came from places other than the area surveyed, and those X-rays were not refused.

Mr John Ede: The Minister has not answered my question. The original intention of the Government, as I understand it, was to make a survey in the four areas affected, of 20,000 in each area, making 80,000 altogether. We have been given figures of approximately 55,000 leaving a shortage of 25,000, and is this therefore making a survey less accurate than otherwise it should be?

Mr Braga: Sir, the survey was conducted by the experts and the target, that I announced sometime ago was 50,000, intended by Government for the purposes of the survey.

Mr Speaker: Mr John Ede.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister -

Mr Speaker: Question No. 5, Mr John Ede.