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HEALTH
epidemiological information is maintained with the World Health Organization in Geneva, the Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila and ports and airports in other countries. Passengers arriving by land, sea and air are medically examined as necessary and quaran- tine measures enforced against travellers from infected ports and airports.
The Port Health Service is responsible for sanitary control of the port and airport and these areas were kept free from Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) throughout the year. There is regular supervision of the purity of water supplied by dock hydrants and water boats, and of the airport catering service. Ships are inspected to determine the extent of rat infestation and international derat- ting or deratting exemption certificates issued. The dock area and airport are included in the rodent control scheme for the Colony and returns of rats destroyed and epidemiological examination for plague are submitted weekly to the World Health Organiza- tion's international quarantine service.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
There is increasing public understanding of the value of Hong Kong's maternal and child health facilities. Most babies are born either in hospital maternity wards or in maternity homes. Con- finements at home attended by government or private midwives are less than 5 per cent of the total deliveries. The Government Midwifery Service now has 29 district centres, two of which provide a domiciliary service. Maternity beds provided for deliveries in government clinics and health centres total 431. There are 172 registered midwives practising privately in 101 maternity and nursing homes. Registered maternity homes are inspected regularly by the Supervisor of Midwives and her staff to ensure that con- ditions of registration are observed and that a sufficiently high standard is practised by registered midwives not working under the direct supervision of a doctor.
The Maternal and Child Health Service offers free maternal and child care at 31 centres, 17 of which are full-time. Clinics are held for infants and toddlers, and for children between two and five years old. Ante-natal and post-natal sessions are also provided. Whenever necessary, babies attending the clinics are visited at