TUBERCULOSIS (Particulars)

Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Minister for Health (i) the separate yearly breakdown figures for the last three years of persons X-rayed by the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Government hospitals and others for the purpose of detecting tuberculosis; and (ii) the separate yearly breakdown figures for the last three years of cases of tuberculosis notified by SATA, Government hospitals and others to the Tuberculosis Control Unit.

The Minister for Health (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of persons X-rayed from 1974 to 1977 was 365,971; 381,642; 402,593 and 295,712 respectively.

The number of tuberculosis cases notified for the years 1975 to 1977 by Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Other Government Hospitals and Outpatient Dispensaries, SATA, private medical practitioners and through the Registry of Births and Deaths was 3,097, 2,813 and 2,747 respectively.

I have given to the Clerk a breakdown of the statistical details (Cols. 721 - 722), and he will make them available to Members if they so desire. NUMBER OF PERSONS X-RAYED FROM 1974-1977, SOURCE OF TUBERCULOSIS CASE NOTIFICATION 1975-1977

Mr Ivan Baptist (Potong Pasir): Does the Hon. Minister realise that SATA was founded in 1947 with the specific objective of promoting measures for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis? Thirty-one years later, it would appear from a recent statement (Straits Times, Monday, 27th February, 1978) by the Chairman of the Flag Day Committee of SATA that "TB still remains a scourge." Does the Minister not realise that this is an indictment on the non-success of SATA's programmes? Could we have some comments on this, please?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: The Member for Potong Pasir should understand that I am not responsible for SATA. SATA is an independent body.

Mr Ivan Baptist: But the Ministry of Social Affairs is still giving them a grant of $25,000.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: I am very sorry the Ministry of Social Affairs gives them that grant. The Member for Potong Pasir would like to know further that SATA is not solely involved in screening tuberculosis cases. It is also involved in "clinics" which look after lungs and hearts as well.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Could the Minister then recommend to the Ministry of Social Affairs that this $25,000 grant be used instead to solve the drug problem in Singapore?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Sir, I would suggest that the Member for Potong Pasir make that appeal to the Minister for Social Affairs. I would not like to be accused of being an unkind person.