The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1948-11-05
Dr.. Hedmeg Talks
On Problems OF
Public Health

Jackson county has a legitimate
complaint in not having been as
signed a full-time health officer,
but two key factors have been re-
sponsible, DR.. Andrew Hedmeg,
director of the Harrison and
Jackson county health depart
ments, told Pascagoula Rotarians
and guests at the weekly lunch
con meeting Wednesday at the
country club.
DR.. Hedmeg's talk followed a
program at the club some time
ago during which a full time
health officer was advocated and
improper operation of the sew
age disposal plant was discussed,
as well as the insanitary condi-
tions under which a large por-
ton of local meat is slaughtered
and marketed. Dr.. Hedmeg was
scheduled to appear before the
club several weeks ago but was
prevented by the death Of his
mother in California.
Jackson county has a legiti-
mate complaint" he said, 'in
that ii was led to believe and
promised a full-time health Of
ficer would be assigned here
DR.. Hedmeg referred to state
ments made by DR.. Felix Under
wood, director of the state board
of health, at the time of his re-
signation more than two years
ago to accept the dictatorship of
the Harrison county health de-
partment.
Is Temporary Director
Harrison and Jackson coun-
ties do not, in fact, constitute a
health district, DR.. Hedmeg said,
and he is actually designated as
temporary director of the Jack
son county health department.
Your board of supervisors vot-
ed this week to send a delegation
to Jackson to see DR.. Under
wood" Dr.. Hedmeg said. Il
sincerely hope their efforts meet
with sscoess for you deserve a
full time health director.
fHowever." he continued,
there are two factors to contend
with. One is the drastic short
age of nurses and doctors
throughout the nation, and the
other is that the inadequate sal
airy scale of public health Off
GERS in Mississippi make it inn
possible to secure the caliber of
men needed"
He pointed out that, in the last
year, he has trained IL public
health officers and that at pre-
sent only four are still in the
state, n a woman. Three have
gone to Florida because of better
salaries, and others to private
practice.
The average annual national
income of a doctor in the United
States is around $4,000, he point
ed out, while the top salary of
trained public health officers in
Mississippi is limited under the
merit system to $4,000 and doc
tors start in the training pro-
gram at $4,000.
He said that he, himself, is
paid additional funds for con-
Quoting the training program,
and that he has been offered
more lucrative positions but
likes his work, and does not
wish to leave it.
He favors the district plan
of public health, DR.. Hedmeg
said, and has been advocating it
for Mississippi since his return
from the armed services.
Mississippi cannot afford so
full-time health officers. but
could afford 35 to 40 competent
and trained men who would get
adequate salaries through reduc-
ton of administrative costs.
County Has Gained
Il don't believe you have lost
anything under Jackson eounty's
present program" he continued.
AT the time l came to Jackson
county your total budget for
health purposes was a little over
$4,000 annually which included
the salary of the health officer.
Of this amount the county con-
tributed Sl0,O66,"
Since that time, he continued,
the salarly of the health officer
has been removed from the bud
get. Meanwhile the budget has
been increased to S37. 900 an
nually and, up until last month,
the county had not increased
its contribution.
The increased income has been
put in service personnel. DR..
Hedmeg said, and in our en-
larged health program a sanitary
Inspector has been added to the
staff of the local unit, and an
additional nurse, which gives the
county one of the most adequate
staffs in the state.
Jackson is one of three coun-
ties in the state which is ap-