4
9. Proposals for the employment of additional Health Inspectors were not
accepted during 1925-26, but the Government has since sanctioned the entertain
ment of thirty-two additional Inspectors, and this increased staff should go far
to remove many of the difficulties experienced in past years.
10. It is to be regretted that, notwithstanding repeated instructions, local
bodies, both Municipal and District, persist in retaining unqualified and incom
petent men as vaccinators. Many of these have been characterized by Health
Officers as not only inefficient and incapable of improvement, but a positive
danger to the community. If any untoward incident occurs as a result of their
ignorance and carelessness, the local body concerned may be held liable for
heavy damages. In the interests of the health and safety of the public, the
qualifications laid down in G.O. No. 1167, L. and M., dated 4th April 1925, should
be enforced, and local bodies at default should be surcharged. Unless some
such drastic step is taken, the chances of improving vaccination staffs are remote.
11. The compartmental system of control of vaccination was in force
throughout the Presidency in 1925-26, except in Gunupur Range in Vizagapatam
Agency. In the Nilgiri district, it had to be suspended on account of the
inadequacy of the vaccination staff, and the frequent and scattered outbreaks
of smallpox.
12. Some of the factors retarding progress were discussed in the vaccination
report for 1924-25. They continued to operate in 1925-26, and may be again
made the subject of brief comment.
(1) In many parts of the Presidency, vaccination is still non-compulsory,
and notwithstanding the propaganda work carried out, it is very difficult to
secure the vaccination of all unprotected children in those areas. Moreover,
where there is no compulsion, the vaccinator has no legal locus standi and is
not supported by local bodies, if he is molested or if his work is interfered with.
Instances of such interference are not uncommon, and on occasion vaccinators
have even been assaulted. The urgent necessity for the introduction of compulsory
vaccination throughout the Presidency cannot be over-emphasized, and Govern
ment is once more requested to address all District Boards in the matter.
(2) Even where vaccination is compulsory, the regulations are seldom
enforced. A number of District and Municipal Health Officers have laid
special stress on this defect and, finding themselves unable to overcome the
indifferent attitude of the local authorities, have pressed for the delegation of
plenary powers. These have been granted to the District Health Officer, Ganjām,
by the President of Berhampur Taluk Board and have already been of great
advantage. There seems to be no reason why similar powers should not be given
to other District and Municipal Health Officers, who may be expected to exercise
due discretion before launching prosecutions.
(3) It has been repeatedly brought to notice that in the few cases in which
sanction for prosecution has been obtained, only very small fines are awarded to
delinquents. Punishment of this kind has no deterrent effect and the time
and trouble spent on these cases by the Public Health staff are largely
wasted. The attention of District Magistrates should be drawn to this question.
(4) The administration of vaccination is intimately associated with correct
registration of vital statistics. Extension of Act III of 1899 to all rural
areas has been repeatedly urged in the Annual Reports on Vaccination and
Sanitation, and it is earnestly hoped that Government will pass favourable
orders at an early date.
(5) The imperfect condition of village vaccination registers and the
steps necessary to remedy defects in them have been referred to in a previous
paragraph.
(6) The anti-vaccination campaign mentioned in the report for 1924-25
was fortunately less active. In the few places where it was carried on, it was-
successfully counteracted by the Public Health staff.