109
(b). Approximate numbers dealt with by welfare centres. —Attendances are
entered in the daily registers for in-patients and out-patients. A check
has to be maintained on these to ensure that the total of patients shown is
not the sum total of attendances. Comment is also made in reports that in
many cases the present figures given as to the numbers of diseases are very
fallacious, because the diagnosis rests with the nurse or even untrained assist-
ants. The number of attendances varies considerably, the more popular
the centre the greater the attendances.
In fact, in the case of the A. T. T. Company at Meerut, which from a
hygienic point of view is the best cared for unit in the station, it would be
quite possible to argue from the large number of cases attending the Centre
that attention to hygiene has a markedly deletereous influence on the health
of families.
The numbers attending at all centres were approximately :
Women.
Children.
84,677
100,367
(c). Progress of the work done. —The crux of the work is really the money
which can be secured by any particular station for the purpose. The tendency
is for the scope of the work to increase whenever funds make this possible
and the demand for treatment and for beds is often in excess of those available.
In several big stations the work has been hampered by moves of personnel
and the difficulty there is in securing lady sub-assistant surgeons and quali
fled trained nurses who will take the appointments or who are suitable. For
example at Mhow and at Bannu the lady S. A. S. left and was not replaced
for months with consequent difficulties in keeping the work going.
A lady S. A. S. or trained nurse who fits into the job is invaluable and
such have proved their worth in many stations such as Multan, Abbottabad,
Chaklala, Meerut, Roorkee, Bakloh and Bangalore. At Jubbulpore and one
or two other places a private lady doctor carries out the work.
In reference to the work of such a lady S. A. S. the Officer Commanding
the hospital at Roorkee comments as follows :
—
"There is no doubt that the treatment side of this work has a most
beneficial effect on the health of the troops
..................
diseases are less ................ and I can only assume
that the Indian Troops Family Hospital has played its part."
(d). Accommodation.—The majority of welfare centres are established
in converted, reappropriated quarters in the lines of the unit concerned.
In some places special buildings have been provided to form a families hospital
at which the welfare work is also carried out. Such exist at Peshawar,
Jullundur, Risalpur, Kohat, Ferozepore, Roorkee, Almora and Bangalore
while at others such as Bannu and Abbottabad reappropriated hospital
buildings in connection with the Indian Military Hospital form much needed
family hospitals. The standard of accommodation at some of these family
hospitals and of their fittings is excellent, but at all there is a continued demand
for increased beds. The average bed accommodation in the converted quarter
type of combined centre is usually from 4—6 beds plus two beds for lying in
cases.
In some stations such as Karachi, Rawalpindi, Baroda and Meerut welfare
centres provide only outdoor treatment and arrangements exist with the
neighbouring Mission Hospital or Cantonment General Hospital or Civil
Hospital for admission of hospital cases.