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SOCIAL AFFAIRS
1.
In October 1972, in his first major speech to the Legislative Council, the Governor outlined his programme for social progress in Hong Kong over the next decade. Since then the Government have introduced a wide tange of social programmes, covering medical and health services, social welfare, education and housing.
Medical and Health Services
2.
In July 1974, the Government published a White Paper setting out a 10-year programme for the improvement and expansion of Hong Kong's Medical and Health Services. The White Paper's main proposals are:-
(i)
(ii)
C.
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
a target of 5.5 hospital beds per 1,000 population by 1983 (at present there are 4.1 beds per 1,000 population);
to help achieve this target, 4 new hospitals, strategically placed in areas of growing density, together with further development of existing hospitals, are to be built;
regionalisation of hospital and clinic services;
new training facilities are to be provided for dentists and dental nurses;
more training facilities for doctors, general and psychiatric nurses;
more clinics and polyclinics.
Social Welfare and Social Security
3.
A White Paper entitled "Social Welfare in Hong Kong: The Way Ahead" was tabled in the Legislative Council on 6 June 1973. This, together with a 5-year plan, set out the programme for social welfare development for the years 1973-78. The 5-year plan proposes that social security will be provided in
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