An outline of medical practice on the sugar estates of British Guiana

ABSTRACT

The Sugar Estate Medical Service of British Guiana started in 1952. It is administered by the Sugar Producers' Association, and was created in order to provide medical care for Sugar Estate workers and their families. Previous medical arrangements on the Sugar Estates dating back to the times when immigration from India was still active, had become obsolete, and the Government Medical Officers, however willing were unable, with many other commitments, to devote enough time to the residents of the Sugar Estates. The total rural and suburban population of British Guiana was estimated in 1958 to be 413,5550. Of this number 97,712 are resident on Sugar Estates. At present, there are five regional Estate Hospitals in addition to dispensaries on estates where no hospital is situated. Besides the Medical Adviser of the Sugar Producer's association with headquarters in Georgetown, there are five Medical Officers resident on the estates. This paper is an attempt to outline some aspects of medical service on the Sugar estates of West Demerara over the six years, 1952-1958. About 20,00 persons are eligible for medical treatment in this district, and in 1958- a typical year- 8,019 patients were seen by the Medical Officer. Accidents at work, Workmen's Compensation and the recently introduced Sickness Benefit Scheme are discussed as well as some conditions touching the health, safety and possibly the efficiency of the labour force, e.g. heat effects and toxic reactions from agricultural compounds used in the fields. Finally, some notes are given on some of the diseases commonly seen in the day to day practice on the Sugar Estates (AU)