Page 282 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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PUBLIC HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES

From 1345 (1926-27) until 1355 (1936-37) the State’s contribution towards improving the
health of the people of Bahrain was not large, it consisted chiefly in maintaining several dispensaries,
providing quarantine services and medical attention for the pearl divers. The first public dispensary
was at Muharraq and was in charge of an Indian doctor, Muharraq was chosen as the location of the
dispensary because there were already two hospitals in Manama, the American Mission Hospital and
the Victoria Memorial Hospital. In 1350 (1931) a trained Indian midwife was appointed to Muharraq
and two years later a second midwife was provided for Manama.
Quarantine.—The quarantine station was originally a walled enclosure containing a few
rooms on the shore south-east of Manama opposite to what is now the B.O.A.C. jetty. As the town
extended this site became unsuitable and in 1348 (1929) it was sold to the R.A.F. for Rs. 13,000.
For many years it was the headquarters of the R.A.F. in Bahrain as it was conveniently situated on
the edge of the flying boat anchorage. This property today would fetch at least four times the sum
that it was sold for 17 years ago. The site of the new quarantine station was a promontory off
Muharraq which at high tide was surrounded by water; being the personal property of the Ruler
it was leased from him by the State at a rent of Rs. 4,800 per annum. The site contained the ruins
of the Fort of Bu-Mahcr which in olden days defended the Muharraq channel and which was once
shelled by British ships. Baluchi retainers of the Shaikhs inhabited the island and when it was taken
over by the Government the Baluchis were given land on the coast between Muharraq and Busaiteen.
The quarantine buildings were erected in 1349 (x93°) and additions to them were made in later years.

During the last 20 years there have been no serious epidemics in Bahrain apart from occasional
outbreaks of smallpox ; for many years after the new quarantine station was built it was not found
possible to segregate smallpox cases and contacts but in 1360 (1941) when a small epidemic of smallpox
occurred a measure was passed by the Government compelling all cases to reside on the quarantine
island and whole families were transferred there from different parts of Bahrain, food being granted
free to all contacts.
There is fortunately no feeling against vaccination in Bahrain and during the last 20 years a
large proportion of the population have come forward voluntarily for vaccination. Before the days
of European doctors, in Bahrain some form of rough vaccination was practised by a local '* hakim '
who lived on the east coast of Bahrain island who according to local tradition used cows for preparing
his vaccine.
Though the Quarantine Medical Officer is on the staff of the Political Agency the quarantine
services are paid for by the State which provides a launch and crew. During recent years the number
of vaccinations carried out by the State Medical Department was about 20,000 in all.

SMALLPOX CASES
1941 193
1942 119
1943 43
1944 57
1945 14
1946 21
Hospital Boat.—Until the advent of motor launches made communications between Bahrain
and the pearling fleet more rapid the Government sent out each diving season a large sailing boat
equipped as a Hospital Ship with an Indian doctor on board. Sick divers were attended on their
boats or taken on board the Hospital dhow. In spite of the hard conditions under which the divers
worked the number of serious cases was extremely low and most of the treatment which was given
was for ear troubles, skin diseases and malaria.