Page 133 - Bahrain Gov annual reports (V a)_Neat

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PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 9tii SEPTEMBER, 1953, TO 31st DECEMBER, 1954.

Report by Dr. J. D. Grant.

It is no good hoping, even with all the money in the world, to introduce into Bahrain
overnight, a more advanced system of hygiene and sanitation. Such a process will have to be a
gradual one and its development will depend to a great extent on how long it takes to educate
the people themselves in cleaner habits. This task of Health Education is of the utmost
importance and it should be a daily activity of school authorities, home visitors and sanitary
officials. The medium of propaganda must also be availed of and this can best be done by
influential local individuals and groups closely in touch with the people and their problems.
At the same time health programmes must be formulated and carrcd out at both Town Council
and Government level. Unfortunately the two chief municipalities (Manama and Muharraq)
have been in a state of dissolution for some time past but even when they were in office, the
members were loath to act on measures designed to raise public health standards. Government
assistance could be best applied to some of the major problems such as the clearing of slum
and barasti areas, housing schemes, drainage and sewage and by bringing to the people of the
villages the advantages of safe drinking water, safe conservancy and refuse disposal and freedom
from insect and animal vectors of prevalent disease. These schemes may not be cheap or easy
but I feel sure that any expenditure or effort on their behalf would be amply repaid by their
contribution to the happiness and health of the population.

At the beginning of the year a survey was made of all coffee shops, cafes and resturants
where food was prepared and sold. The standard found was exceedingly low due to the lack
of previous supervision and the absence of any idea of cleanliness on the part of the owners
and employees. Detailed advice was given on the measures required to improve the cleanliness
of the premises and by means of constant pressure and closure threats, it was possible to effect
some improvement in most cases. All premises were classified as shown below. (Table A).
The standard accepted was necessarily low as otherwise 80 to 90 per cent, of all cafes, etc.,
would cease to exist. However, it is the intention to close down, in due course, those in Category
“D” as it would be impossible, and economically unsound, to attempt to bring them up to the
required standard.

Street cleansing and refuse disposal has been carried out by the local Councils in a fairly
satisfactory manner. The use of open concrete stalls for the reception of refuse is unsatis­
factory and objectionable, and in due course a closed method will have to be substituted.
Mechanization of refuse haulage is also called for as donkey carts are too slow and uneconom­
ical for a town the size of Manama. The tip disposal arrangements worked well and the present
site of about 8 acres is now almost finished but under no circumstances must it be used for
Barasti dwellings. A new tip adjoining the south side of the present one has been arranged for.

The sanitary state of the markets is as bad as ever and even the new vegetable market has
quickly deteriorated to the same level. The stall-holders are very hostile to and resist with
great determination and success any attempt at cleanliness and so far it has not been possible to
persuade the local authorities who are responsible for the administration of the markets, to
take official action in the matter.
The standard of domestic sanitation especially in the barasti areas remains deplorably
low and can only be improved by such major works as slum clearance, housing schemes and
proper sewage and drainage. With the present rate of expansion and development, particularly
in Manama, the problem becomes more acute as times goes on and the risk of a serious outbreak
of an epidemic nature, cannot be lightly overlooked.

Rodent infestation in both large towns is severe and on the increase. A small amount of
anti-rodent work has been carried out on individual premises but treatment on a large scale
will be necessary and for this purpose consultations are in progress with the British Ratine Co.,
Ltd. The problem is not made easier by the difficulty of making the local style house rat proof.