Public Health and Port Development in Singapore

Notes on Singapore's Public Health and Port Facilities

Overcrowded Living Conditions
- Many workers lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, particularly in town areas, contributing to the high death rate.
- The close quarters facilitated the spread of contagious diseases like tuberculosis and cholera.
Poor Understanding of Diseases
- Before 1897, diseases like malaria were poorly understood. It was believed to be caused by poisonous air rather than mosquito bites.
- This misunderstanding led to inadequate treatment, as many Asian communities often avoided Western medicine, limiting their access to effective care.

Economic Growth in the 1940s
- Singapore's economic improvements in the 1940s created increased demand for better healthcare.
- The local populace became more vocal about the need for healthcare improvements, pressuring the government to act against the spread of diseases.

Historical Context
- The development of Singapore's port facilities began in the 1850s alongside the arrival of steamships.
- The Old Harbour was overwhelmed by usage, necessitating the construction of the New Harbour in 1852 (later Keppel Harbour).
Geographical Advantages of New Harbour
- It was strategically located between the southern coast of Singapore Island and two smaller islands (Pulau Brani and Pulau Blakang Mati).
- The harbour’s deep waters allowed larger ships to dock safely, which was essential for trade and commerce.

Living Conditions
- The accompanying image depicts the cramped conditions in a shophouse in 1941, highlighting the unhygienic living situations faced by laborers and low-income workers in Singapore.
Historic Illustration of Port Development
- Another illustration shows the opening of the third dock at the New Harbour in 1859, emphasizing the growth and modernization of Singapore's port facilities during that period.

Reference:

www.worldbank.org