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HEALTH
to the blind and to children under ten years of age, exclusive of the cost of spectacles, and there is no charge for attendance at maternal and child health centres. Preventive inoculations against certain endemic diseases are similarly available free at Government hospitals, clinics and dispensaries, and BCG vaccine is provided without charge to doctors and midwives throughout the Colony. No charge is made for treatment or accommodation in the general and maternity wards of Government hospitals, although when food is provided there is a nominal maintenance charge. Fees are charged for first class or single ward accommodation and for second class accommodation in wards of two to eight beds. In all cases, however, fees can be waived if necessary.
Finance. The estimated expenditure for the financial year 1961-2 was $64,152,100. To this should be added capital and recurrent subventions totalling $25,247,200 to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association, the Grantham Hospital, the Mission to Lepers (Hong Kong Auxiliary), the Pok Oi Hospital and other organizations. The combined estimated expenditure of the Medical and Health Department, including medical subven- tions, represents approximately 8.3% of the Colony's total estimated expenditure of $1,074,603,210. Estimated expenditure on capital-works for the Medical and Health Department was $14,466,200.
Professional Registers. There are five statutory bodies dealing with the registration of medical practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and midwives. The Hong Kong Medical Council is respon- sible for the registration of medical practitioners and has dis- ciplinary responsibilities under the Medical Registration Ordinance, 1957; it is not an examining body. The Dental Council, Pharmacy Board, Nurses Board and Midwives Board all maintain registers, regulate training, hold examinations leading to registration or en- rolment and have disciplinary powers.
GENERAL HEALTH
Against the background of a rapidly increasing population within a restricted land area and the resulting legacy of overcrowding, limited water supplies and inadequate housing, the general health of the population remained remarkably good. The outstanding