164
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
indebted for the construction of a number of smaller institutions.
The total numbers of out-patients seen at Government clinics and dispensaries during the past five years is of in- terest as showing the very considerable expansion which is occurring :
1953
1954
1955
1956
2,340,682
2,517,815
2,869,045
3,165,109
3,397,074
1957
In most cases these out-patient facilities are provided on a 'dollar-a-time' basis: that is, the patient, if he is capable of doing so, is expected to pay one dollar for each visit to the dispensary, this fee including whatever treatment, drugs or injections may be considered necessary. Provision is made for free treatment if circumstances so demand and certain clinics (for example those for tuberculosis, maternal and child health, venereal diseases, leprosy, eye diseases in children, etc.) are completely free. In addition to 'fixed' dis- pensaries, the department has two mobile dispensaries which pay regular visits to outlying villages in the New Terri- tories, and visits are also made by launch to certain areas which cannot otherwise be reached. The scope of this latter service is expected to be 'widened considerably in the near future when a new departmental 'Floating Clinic' will be put into service: the vessel is a new 70 foot launch, a gift from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Medical Department is, however, not the only agency providing out-patient treatment. Apart from the ordinary consulting rooms of private practitioners, there are very many, probably well over 250, clinics of various types operating. Some of these are attached to non-Government hospitals, others are run by missionary bodies, large firms, the Kaifong Welfare Associations, and trade unions, and there is a large group which are run purely as business
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