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LOUCATION
3. Six years of primary and three years of secondary education
are now free for all who want it and will be fully compulsory
by 1980. The Government have published detailed plans for the
expansion and development of senior secondary and tertiary
education. Grants and subsidies are available to ensure that
nobody need be deprived of a full education through lack of funds.
MEDICAL AND HE LTH SERVICES
4. Health services are provided through over 400 out-patient
clinics, and through hospitals with a total of some 20,000 beds.
There is a nominal charge of about 10p for each visit to an
out-patient clinic, and about 50p a day for hospital treatment.
These charges are reduced or waived altogether in cases of hardship.
There is an extensive preventive medicine service, and Hong Kong
has an infant mortality rate below that of many developed
countries.
SOCI L SECURITY
5. At present social security is provided under a means-
tested public assistame scheme. Additional benefits are
available to the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly
and disabled. The Governor has announced his intention to
publish proposals this year to provide coverage against
extended sickness, death and retirement.
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