Abstract
DISCUSSING maternal and child welfare in Venezuela (Bol. Of. San. Panamericana, November 1942) Dr. Pastor Oropeza refers to the creation in 1936 of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare as providing a sound foundation. At the present time, these services are under the direction of the Division of Maternal and Child Hygiene. The Ministry operates through health units and health centres, and oitices in places where centralized local public health services have not been organized. In 1942 there were 37 fully qualified health units, 4 health offices and 61 rural medical' o.ticers. Regulations have been issued for the supervision and education of mid wives. In 1936, pregnancy was made the subject of industrial legislation. Obstetrical assistance and post-natal care are given to the wives of insured workers. The official infant death-rate has fallen in Venezuela from 124 per 1,000 live births in 1936 to 121 in 1940, but these figures are probably inaccurate owing to many births not having been registered until baptism, and numerous deaths were probably not reported. Child welfare work includes examinations and immunizations carried out by the various health centres, assisted by public health measures. During 1930-41, 45 stations for distribution of milk to children were organized throughout the country in connexion with health centres. Attention is also given to the care of sick children mainly through the welfare agencies of the States and municipalities. Other developments include the creation of a course in clinical paediatrics and puericulture, and a new law making these subjects compulsory for medical qualification.
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Maternal and Child Welfare in Venezuela. Nature 151, 221 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1038/151221b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/151221b0