98
HEALTH
large number of drug resistant cases in Hong Kong 'second line' drugs are widely used. A further trial to evaluate the most effective second line drug regimen for Hong Kong is now at an advanced stage of planning.
In recognition of the need for more active case-finding a Colony- wide tuberculosis publicity drive was launched in April, lasting two weeks. The response was dramatic and large numbers of people attended chest clinics in response to the theme of the campaign which was: 'If you have a cough lasting more than one month go for a chest x-ray'.
The Colony has 1,852 beds available specifically for the treatment of tuberculosis. The Government provides 146 of these beds in Kowloon Hospital and St John Hospital on Cheung Chau Island, but the majority are in government-assisted hospitals, notably those managed by the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis and Thoracic Diseases Association. This association offers a total of 979 beds distributed between Grantham Hospital, Ruttonjee Sanatorium and Freni Memorial Home. In addition the Junk Bay Medical Relief Council has 310 beds at its Haven of Hope Sanatorium. The Tung Wah Group has 346 beds for the treatment of tuberculosis and during the year there was a considerable expansion from 118 to 185 beds at Wong Tai Sin Infirmary. The Chest Unit at Wong Tai Sin Infir- mary has been re-located in spacious new accommodation and now plays a major role in the treatment of tuberculosis in Kowloon.
Venereal diseases are diagnosed and treated free at social hygiene clinics. The recorded incidence of early infectious syphilis continued to remain low in 1969, thus 'differing from experience in other parts of the world. Latent and late syphilis and gonorrhoea have stayed comparatively unchanged and the incidence of chancroid and lymphogranuloma remained very low. The maintenance of this satisfactory position is due, at least in part, to energetic epidemic control by contact tracing, follow-up of defaulters and routine ante-natal blood tests.
Leprosy remains only a very minor public health problem. Twenty outpatient sessions are held weekly solely for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, while other sessions are held at social hygiene centres in conjunction with dermatology and venereal disease clinics. The Leprosy Mission-Hong Kong Auxiliary, with