2
hospitals and a network of general and specialist
clinics. There are 4.2 hospital beds available per
1,000 population. The present policy objective is
5.5. beds per 1,000 population, involving a building
programme of five major hospitals; and the network of clinics and polyclinics is being continually expanded.
Health charges are minimal: HK$3 per visit to an out-patient clinic and HK$5 per day in hospitals. These
charges are waived for special categories and in cases
of hardship.
There is a comprehensive public health programme for
controllable diseases. Infant mortality, at 9.7% per
1,000 live births in 1981 (c.f. 17.7 in 1971) is lower
than in many developed countries and life expectancy
is one of the highest in the world.
(d) Social Welfare
There is a non-contributory means-tested Public
Assistance Scheme to bring the incomes of needy house-
holds up to a specific level. In addition to the basic
scale, supplementary assistance may be given to cover
rent, school expenses, special diets etc. and an old
age supplement is paid to people over 60 who do not
receive a Special Needs Allowance. A Special Needs
Allowance Scheme includes an old age allowance (over 70 years of age) and a disability allowance. It provides cash assistance over and above any P.A. payment. Both the P.A. and S.N.A. scales of payment are revised
annually to keep pace with the cost of living.
A wide range of welfare services is provided by
the Social Welfare Department and subvented agencies
for target groups (e.g. disabled, offenders, elderly,
etc).