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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

not vaccinated. Anti-diphtheria inoculations totalling 89,163 were also given in urban schools during 1958.

The medical treatment service remained limited; with the con- tinued exclusion of new participants, the number eligible for this scheme fell to 28,088, distributed among 44 government schools, 80 subsidized schools and 230 private schools.

Industrial Health. The health of workers in factories and other industrial undertakings is cared for by the Industrial Health Section of the Labour Department, which is staffed by the Medical Department with an Industrial Health Officer, an Assistant Industrial Health Officer, two Health Visitors and a Technical Assistant.

The work of the Section falls into three main divisions: the prevention of occupational diseases, the improvement of medical facilities in factories and the follow-up of cases of industrial accident. The most serious diseases met with in industry- have been silicosis and lead poisoning, but fortunately cases have been few. Dermatitis occurs in a large number of local industries. Strict precautions are taken against injury from radiation in trades where X-rays or radioactive substances are used, and so far no signs of ill health due to this cause have been detected.

First aid classes are organized for factory workers, including a number of staff from Government workshops, and advice is given on first aid and medical equipment in factories. Reports of all industrial accident cases are seen by the Industrial Health Officers who follow up those cases which appear to require further care. Although there is as yet no organized rehabilitation service in the Colony, help is given to injured persons to obtain proper treatment and to assist those in need of rehabilitation and re- employment.

Health Education. The need for health education throughout the Colony remains evident. The main aim is to help people to help themselves through a better knowledge of health matters. A very wide field is covered by the Medical Department, as well as by the Urban Services, Labour and Social Welfare Departments. The Maternal and Child Health centres of the Medical Department are particularly active in these programmes, which are undertaken by an experienced body of health visitors; the School Health Services

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