Measures To Combat Venereal Disease Sought (Press, 8 October 1966)

The National Council of Women in New Zealand has expressed significant concern over the rising rates of venereal disease in the country. During a recent Dominion conference held in Dunedin, delegates decided to contact the Minister of Health, Mr. McKay, to advocate for the production of informative posters on the dangers of venereal diseases and their prevention, aimed for circulation in factories and doctors' waiting rooms. Former national president, Mrs A.D. Grant, highlighted the issue, referencing her attendance at the International Abolitionist Federation congress in Rome earlier in the year where similar concerns were discussed. Mrs Grant reported attempts to obtain a series of English television documentaries on venereal disease for educational purposes, but was informed that they were unavailable. A specialist in Christchurch corroborated her difficulties in accessing these films. She emphasised the need to utilise mass media to effectively reach vulnerable populations, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The conference rallied behind her initiative to pursue the films and investigate their unavailability, as well as questioned the Health Department's reluctance to fund educational materials. In her remarks, Mrs Grant asserted that chastity represents the most effective means of tackling venereal disease. She outlined factors contributing to the rising incidence of these diseases, including the growing resistance of pathogens to antibiotics, the movement of populations and immigration, asymptomatic women serving as reservoirs of infection, a rising number of homosexual men facing high rates of infections, increased sexual freedom, and growing trends in premarital and extramarital sex. Dr R.D. Catterall, director of Middlesex Hospital in London, also shared insights from his contributions at the Rome congress, noting that casual sexual encounters are a prevalent method of disease transmission. Furthermore, the consensus among medical professionals cited during the conference was that state-regulated prostitution would not effectively control the venereal disease crisis. As a resolution, the congress proposed a comprehensive strategy to manage and reduce the incidence of venereal diseases. This plan encompasses raising public awareness about infection risks, establishing accessible clinics for anonymous treatment, setting up efficient systems for epidemiological examinations, and ensuring non-discriminatory treatment for all patients. Overall, the conference highlighted the pressing need for public health initiatives to combat the alarming rise of venereal diseases in New Zealand.

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