CMC(74) IV/B9
THE PLACE OF FAMILY PLANNING
IN COMMONWEALTH HEALTH PROGRAMMES
Background Paper prepared by the Government of Hong Kong
The Government of Hong Kong sees family planning solely as a means to securing the most desirable population growth rate, and considers it advantageous to national planning of economic and social services, to cater for the planned population growth and indirectly improvement in the health of the people.
2. Family planning in Hong Kong has been existing for years and has had a measureable effect on population growth: it is becoming more and more acceptable to the local population.
3. With regard to family planning techniques, the order of preference by most people are the Pill and ÏUD. The Government has just introduced the computerisation of family planning statistics and it is possible to analyse the data in order to reveal both clinical and social factors of interest. There does not appear to be any significant ethical and moral or religious difficulties to be overcome as family planning is generally acceptable. Abortion plays no direct role and is permitted only on medical grounds.
4. Family planning is available together with maternal and child health services as an integral part of the family health service in government health centres. The set-up has been expanded recently, and staff are trained in both functions.
17 October, 1974.