Report of the Ministry of Health / Colony of Singapore.

  • Singapore. Ministry of Health.
Date:
[1957]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Ministry of Health / Colony of Singapore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    21/294 (page 9)
    GOVERNMENT MEDICAL STORE 59. The total turnover of drugs, pharmaceuticals, surgical dressings, in¬ struments, ward equipment, etc. supplied to all hospitals, dispensaries and clinics increased by about 25 per cent to approximately $2.9 millions. Of this total $2 millions represents drugs and the balance equipment, dressings and sundries. The organisation for central- importing and distribution of these supplies operated very smoothly throughout the year. 60. In the pharmaceutical laboratories, another increase in overall pro¬ duction was achieved and the principle items in the output of pharmaceuticals were: — Tablets Ampoules Transfusion Fluids Ointments 56.4 millions. 440,000 76,700 bottles. 10,800 lb. and 52,000 tubes. 61. An extension to the laboratories was completed to provide new boilerhouse with increased steam capacity. This was required primarily to meet the rising demands for sterile transfusion fluids which are now packed at the rate of 300-400 bottles per day. 62. A number of Dispensing Assistants were recruited and are being trained in the pharmaceutical laboratories and hospital dispensaries. The recruitment of pharmacists is also continuing and 16 are now employed throughout the Department. CIVIL DEFENCE 63. During the year 1957 the Civil Defence section continued its activi¬ ties along the lines of previous years. The Singapore Hospital Reserve was formed in 1952. It is a volunteer corps whose function is to reinforce the permanent hospital staff in war or any other emergency. The present strength of the Corps is 886 divided into 668 nursing auxiliaries and 218 reservists. Instruction and examinations are conducted in Mandarin. Malay and English. VOLUNTARY AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS St. Andrews Mission Hospital 64. This hospital has 55 beds for children and during the year admitted a total of 658 patients. The outpatients during the year were 47,252. Kwong Wai Sin Free Hospital (Chinese) 65. This hospital of 448 beds admitted 1,397 patients during the year. Outpatient attendances numbered 30,405. Royal Singapore Chest Clinic 66. The past year has been another busy year for this voluntary organi¬ sation. X-ray examinations totalled 99,214, as against 93,802 the previous year. The daily average of attendances was 818 as against 775 in 1956. 67. The insurance scheme now embraces over 17,000 persons which was sufficient to justify a reduction in the annual premiums. 68. As in the past a close liaison exists between the clinic and the surgeons at the General Hospital, and during the year 256 patients were accepted for major thoracic surgery.