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remain, by reason of its geographical circumstances one
of the most densely populated areas in the world. It is
one too in which the number of travellers and goods
increases consistently from all over the world. Yet in
Hong Kong the incidence of communicable disease remains
at a low level. By way of example there has been no
case of cholera since 1969 and the major health problem
of tuberculosis is now under control. Such however are
the risks that a high level of vigilance and care must
be maintained.
1.4
The post-war period has also seen positive
by
action both the Government and the voluntary agencies to
achieve progressive improvements in the standard of in-
patient and out-patient services, particularly in the
development and expansion of hospitals and clinics.
Progress here was slower in the period immediately
following the war as priority was given to preventive and
control measures. With the rapid expansion of the
population, additional hospitals and clinics have been
developed to meet the standards proposed in 1964, but it
is clear that with the continuing growth of the population
to an expected 5.17 million by 1984 (on the medium projection),
the movement to the new towns, the increasing demands for
services and the capability of the medical and health service
to meet those demands, new facilities must be provided to keep
pace with requirements in the ten years ahead. It is therefore in
this area of hospital and clinic provision that the main thrust
of the proposals in this White Paper will be found, i.e. new
facilities accessible to the main centres of population in line
with the Government's plans for the expansion of the housing
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