10 -
is being developed. Satisfactory progress has also been made to centralize the Blood Transfusion Service, to establish a cardiothoracic centre, and to provide more haemodialysis facilities. Radiodiagnostic and therapy services, also form part of this development programme.
43.
The planned expansion of medical and health services will put a very heavy demand on trained manpower resources. Plans are in hand for the establishment of a Medical School at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which will have its first pre-clinical intake of 60 students in 1981, increasing to 8 in 1980 and 100 from 1983 onwards. This is in addition to the 150 doctors produced annually by the Medical School ●f the University of Hong Kong. Two nurses training schools
re being planned for completion by 1983. A series of para-medical courses has also been introduced at the Hong Kong Polytechnic to provide training for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical laboratory technicians
and radiographers.
Dental Services
44.
Significant progress has also been made in the dental field. Following the opening of the Dental Therapists Training School (which will produce 38 dental therapists and hygienists each year) and the first School Dental Clinic at the MacLehose Dental Centre, a dental care programme for primary school children was introduced in November 1979. Initially the scheme is limited to Primary I entrants but will progressively be extended to include all primary school children. To meet the expected demand, a further six school dental clinics are being planned.
.45.
To provide local facilities for the training of dentists, a Dental School is to be established at the University of Hong Kong and will take in its first group of students in 1980. The first 60 students are expected to graduate in 1985. Clinical training will be provided at the Dental Teaching Hospital in Sai Ying Pun which is scheduled for completion in mid-August 1980.
Contribution of Voluntary Organisations
46.
Voluntary organisations are involved directly in the provision of hospital facilities, in family planning and in the medical treatment of drug addicts. Of the total of 20,606 hospital beds available in December 1979, 8,630 are provided by voluntary organisations with Government assistance, and 2,531 by private bodies.