Resolution on the Vaccination Report of Eastern Bengal and
Assam for the three years ending 1910-11.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal
and Assam, in the Municipal Department, No. 5935M., dated the 7th September
1911.
READ—
The Triennial Report on Vaccination in Eastern Bengal and Assam for the years 1909-09, 1909-10
and 1910-11.
RESOLUTION.
THE number of vaccinations performed during the three years under review
is substantially in advance of the figure for the three years preceding, and, with
few exceptions, an increase has taken place in all parts of the Province. The
prejudice against vaccination displayed by the Mahapurushiyas in Assam and by
certain sects of Muhammadans in Eastern Bengal has always proved a difficulty.
The Lieutenant-Governor trusts, however, that the measures for overcoming this
prejudice which have proved successful in the past will again be tried and that no
new measures which suggest themselves as suitable will be overlooked. Efforts
in the Garo Hills must also not be relaxed, for it is clear that the new gene-
ration are not protected and that even those who have been vaccinated will not
remain immune.
2. It was noted in the Resolution on the Vaccination Report for the three
years ending 1907-08 that the Lieutenant-Governor would be prepared to consider
proposals for the substitution in special localities of a paid agency for the existing
system of payment by fees. From the present report it appears that proposals to
this end are being considered by the Sanitary Commissioner, and in view of the
figures of operations in the Bakarganj district where the difficulty experienced by
licensed vaccinators in realising their fees seems to have interfered with the recruiting
of vaccinators, His Honour trusts that the subject will be carefully examined.
Government has under consideration the question of improving the status of village
Panchayats and enlisting to a greater extent than hitherto their assistance in the
work of the general administration. The improvement of vaccination is one of the
important objects to which their energies should be devoted.
3. The report discloses an unsatisfactory shortness in the amount of inspection
done by Civil Surgeons. This question has already engaged the attention of the
Lieutenant-Governor, and the Inspector General of Civil Hospitals recently addressed
Civil Surgeons on the importance of this branch of their duties. His Honour
considers it not improbable that special inspecting officers for vaccination and vital
statistics may ultimately have to be appointed, but has decided to refrain from
passing final orders until it is seen how matters progress when Civil Surgeons do
their duty more fully. The Local Government has on more than one occasion had
to remark that the primary duty of the Deputy Sanitary Commissioner is the inspection
of Municipalities, and the time which he can devote to inspecting vaccination work
must necessarily be limited.
4. Sir Charles Bayley has read with interest the account given of the working
of the Vaccine Depôt and awaits proposals for the improvements which will be
necessary to enable it to meet modern requirements.
5. Vaccination in compulsory areas throughout the Province still leaves much
to be desired. The report shows where the remedy lies and what can be done by
personal effort and attention.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor,
W. J. REID,
Secretary to the Government, Eastern Bengal and Assam.
E. B. & A. G. P. (F. & M.) No, 114—370—9-9-1909.