Papers on health administration in Papua New Guinea, 1947-1984 [microform]
- Bib ID:
- 4363951
- Format:
- Manuscript and Microform
- Author:
- Gunther, J. T. (John Thomas), 1910-1984
- Access Conditions:
- Available for research.
- Description:
-
- 1947-1984
- 6 microfilm reels ; 35 mm.
- Series:
- PMB (Australian National University. Pacific Manuscripts Bureau) ; 1267.
- Summary:
-
Sir John Gunther gave this set of his papers to Dr Roy Scragg, his successor as Director of Public Health in PNG, who transferred them to the PMB in 2005. The papers document many aspects of Gunther's administration of public health in PNG. They include correspondence, draft articles and reports by Gunther, and many published and unpublished research papers.
- Biography/History:
-
Sir John Thomas Gunther, medical practitioner, public servant and vice-chancellor, was educated at King's School, Parramatta, studied medicine at the University of Sydney, and upon graduation worked in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, 1935-1938, as a medical officer with Levers Pacific Plantations Ltd. Gunther joined the Royal Australian Air Force Medical Branch in June 1941 and, from September 1942, was involved in malaria control in Papua. During this time he obtained diplomas in tropical medicine and public health from the University of Sydney and in December 1944 he took command of the Tropical Health Field Unit in New Guinea. Dr Gunther was Director of Public Health in the Territory of Papua New Guinea from 1946 until 1957. Professor Hank Nelson observed that the post-war construction of health services in PNG under Gunther's direction was a major achievement of the Australian administration. Refugee doctors were recruited from Europe. Expatriate and indigenous medical assistants were trained. A system of aid-posts, sub-district and district hospitals, supported by medical patrols, was established, together with maternity and child health clinics and mobile units. Systematic vaccination, malaria and tuberculosis were implemented. Gunther approved the start of the Highlands labour scheme in 1950, organised medical services after the Mt Lamington eruption in 1951, and directed the initial response to the kuru disease. He was appointed Assistant Administrator in 1957 and was government leader in the Legislative Council. In 1966 he was appointed foundation Vice-Chancellor of the University of PNG and retired in 1972. (From H.N. Nelson "Gunther, Sir John Thomas", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol.7, pp.467-8.)
- Notes:
- Pacific Manuscripts Bureau.
- Reproduction:
- Microfilm. Canberra, A.C.T. : Produced for the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, Australian National University. 6 microfilm reels.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Printed reel list available and also through the Internet via home page.
- Subject:
- Time Coverage:
- 1947-1984
- Other authors/contributors:
- Australian National University. Pacific Manuscripts Bureau
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
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- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
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