Colonialism and Diseases Control in Idoma Division, 1938-1960

Abstract

The presence of the British colonialists in Idoma Division predates 1938. However, prior to and within the period of this study, the British colonialists began to take giant steps in the enactment of health policies that would create the enabling environment for the realization of their colonial interests, such policies include: the Sleeping Sickness Ordinance of 1936, the establishment of Native Administration Dispensaries Policy and Instructions, the creation of Western Districts Leper Segregation Area, Oglewu District, 1951, Eggede Leper segregation area, 1949, The Public Health Ordinance of 1950, Vaccination Ordinance, chapter 53 of 1945 and the Native Administration Dispensaries Policy and Instructions, 1939-56 among others. Despite the health policies enacted by the British colonialists, much or virtually nothing had been written on the aspects of health in Idoma Division, which is a major historical lacuna. Available literatures tend to concentrate on the socio-economic, political and cultural lives of the people, hence, this study is poised towards bridging this historical lacuna in the study of the history of the people of the Division and also to deepen our understanding on colonial health policies in the division. In order to reconstruct this vital aspect of the people’s history, the paper employs historical methodology in the process. This includes the collection and the interpretation of primary data from the archives as well as conduct of oral interviews and the collection of secondary sources.