Page 286 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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were full of mosquitoes. After 18 months of work the public began to co-operate in the measures
which were being carried out even to the extent of allowing the anti-malaria gangs free access to their
houses for inspections which in the beginning was a source of constant friction between the authorities
and the people.

Serious floods caused by abnormal rain in 1360 (1941-42) caused a set-back in the progress of
the work and resulted in a steep rise in the incidence of malaria but in spite of large areas of standing
water which remained for several weeks and conditions in every way favourable to malaria there was
no epidemic. During this and the following year intensified measures were taken against shallow well
breeding in Manama. Several large cultivated areas in the neighbourhood of the Portuguese Fort
and the country between the Budeya and Rafaa roads were cleaned and drained. The large pool
on the outskirts of Manama near the Wireless Station was filled and good progress was made in re­
claiming the low land south of Manama. Similar work was continued during 1361 (1942) and through­
out the year 25-30 jamedars and 80-100 coolies were employed on anti-malaria measures, The
area round the refinery, where British troops were stationed, was taken over by the military medical
personnel who employed about 70 coolies with jamedars lent by the State Medical Department.

By 1362 most of the public realised from the results the value of the work which was being done.
During this year about half a million channels and pits were oiled and 11,000 wells were stocked and
restocked with fish. Lack of transport restricted distant work but progress was made in cleaning
gardens at the north end of Bahrain island. It was found that some of the villages, such as Rafaa,
which were distant from date gardens and water contained quantities of mosquitoes, the source <?f
breeding was traced to the household water jars which owing to the cost of water were never emptied
out and so provided permanent breeding places for mosquitoes.

The lowest recorded level in malaria was reached in 1363 (1944), when anti-malaria measures
were first embarked on the prevalence of malaria was 20.25% this year it was reduced to 10%.
Difficulties in obtaining transport continued to restrict work in the distant parts of the islands
so progress was concentrated in and around the towns where about half of the total population of the
country were living. Every house was visited weekly and domestic water jars, which became ex­
pensive during the war years, were broken if they were found to contain breeding mosquitoes. This
action, though extremely unpopular, served to emphasise the need for keeping them clean. R.A.F.
anti-malaria control around the camps was taken over by the R.A.F. at Muharraq. In 1364 (1945)
the malaria figures were somewhat higher owing to a long spell of south wind which carried mosquitoes
into Manama from the date gardens.

In 1365 (1946) there was another substantial decrease in malaria over the previous year; the
incidence of malaria in Manama was 7.5% of all out-patients diseases seen as compared to 10-12%
in the previous 5 years. Undoubtedly climate played a part, particularly during October to December
when the change over from summer to winter was more abrupt, and the South wind was not very
evident. This year the dangerous malignant malaria season of Autumn was the mildest known.
Other factors were; wider areas under control, severer disciplinary action against negligence by coolies
or jamedars, and the use of D.D.T. The Bahrain Petroleum Company greatly enlarged their field
of work, appointed an expert Malariologist, and tried out wholesale D.D.T. spraying of houses in
many villages. The combined efforts of Awali and Manama mutually benefited each other’s work and
affected the whole outlook.

Hospitals.—The decision to build a State hospital was taken in 1356 (1937-38)and bytbe end
of that year work had been begun on the foundations of the first block of buildings on a site at the
western end of Manama which had been bought from the Gosaibi brothers. In 1358 (i939) tbe dis­
pensary and out-patients building, including the State Medical Officer’s flat, were completed and the
women's hospital and staff quarters were almost finished on 18th Rabia all Thani 1359 (25*b May
1940) the Women’s Hospital was formally opened by Her Highness Shaikha Ayesha, wife of the Ruler,