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Students Must Be Healthy

The Student Health service is responsible for promoting and maintaining the health of students and providing for discussion of health problems. A panel of four doctors, one of them a woman, is available for medical care and advice. The chief objective of the service is to prevent any breakdown in health or any deterioration in health which would interrupt studies.

Although attendance is voluntary, it is hoped that all students will use the service. The doctors have a special interest in the university environment and its health problems.

The work of the medical service falls into two sections — the medical interview and the general medical service.

The medical officers consider the initial medical interview to be extremely important. They are designed to provide the student with a full and completely confidential medical examination. It will offer many students merely a reassurance that they are in good health, but it is still considered important because of its educational value.

The medical interview will give students the opportunity to discuss any physical or emotional problem which might interfere with their academic work or sporting interests. It gives the doctors an opportunity to detect a yet unrecognised disability.

During the interview certain preventative measures will be explained. Deficits in previous innoculations will be corrected if desired. Arrangements will be made for routine chest X-rays, and regular dental supervision will be encouraged.

First year students in particular are invited to apply for a medical interview. Forms will be available during enrolment week and when filled in should be handed into the Students' Association office. Later, students will be contacted and given an appointment.

The general medical service is the equivalent of an ordinary general practitioner service. Those whose homes are in Wellington are asked to contact their regular doctor for general medical services.

The university's Student Health service is your service, a place where you will find somebody ready, able, and interested in your problems.