Architecture, Building and Planning - Theses
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ItemAn investigation into the problems of hospital design in the humid tropics: with special reference to the Territory of Papua and New Guinea( 1969)Medicine is nearly as old as man himself, and the hospital designed as an institution in which to practice it, is very much newer. For centuries, man had been fighting against disease in order to maintain good health. It was not until after the advent of Christianity, with a new concept of charity for the less fortunates, that the foundation of hospital was gradually developed. Sustained and consistent progress of hospital as a centre of all health services was then make to check disease more efficiently. As a result, hope for the destitute, and the infirm began to emerge brighter than ever. Balance between health and disease is constantly changing with changes in the environment. As civilization advances, new health hazards continue to replace the old. Therefore, man’s struggle to come to terms with the environment for better health is unlikely to end. Also, as people are beginning to appreciate the value of good health, rising demand for a greater and better hospital as principal health services, is unlikely to cease. The significance of hospital as a centre of all health services as we know today has been on the increase since the discoveries of anaesthesis by Norton in 1846, the world of microbes by Pasteur in 1860, and the antiseptics techniques by Lister in 1873. Most significant of all, it was not until after Florence Nightingale had laid the foundation of nursing reform, hospital planning and administration in the mid 19th century that the hospital became the centre of modern medicine. Nowadays, hospital has been accepted as the indispensable health service by most countries throughout the world. It has become a symbol of life-saving in the minds of many millions. To the poverty and disease stricken as well as aggressive hot and humid part in S.E. Asia, the hospital sometimes represents the only hope for the ills especially in a region such as the T.P.N.G., where private medical care is not easily within reach of most people. Confronted with the immediate population explosion in S.E. Asia region, the need of hospital services for the masses is paramount. (From Preface)