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HEALTH
A picnic warden scheme was introduced in the summer with the aim of getting each picnic or hiking group to elect one of their group as a picnic warden to control their litter. Picnic warden badges and explanatory pamphlets were widely distributed to the general public and to factories, schools and youth organisations.
From July to September, district clean-ups were organised by the Urban Services district offices to clean black-spots in public areas. These operations were carried out in liaison with the local kaifong associations and city district offices.
The major effort of the year was a Clean Buildings Campaign held in November. It featured a clean buildings exhibition at the City Hall and a territory-wide clean buildings competition.
Controls
The district hygiene staff, consisting mainly of health inspectors, play an im- portant role in maintaining and improving environmental health. Their work includes the hygienic control of all premises licensed under the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance. Both domestic and licensed premises are regularly inspected to ensure that they are maintained to a hygienic standard. Wherever necessary, law en- forcement action is taken.
In addition to dealing with complaints of sanitary nuisances, vermin infestations and other matters within the framework of environmental health, the district hygiene staff assist in the investigation and control of food poisoning outbreaks and other infectious diseases in close liaison with the Medical and Health Department. Recent legislation has empowered them to exercise control over ventilating systems which constitute a nuisance.
All applications for licences (other than hawker licences) issued under the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance are dealt with by a central licensing unit. Only premises that meet the requirements of the law are granted licences.
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To help improve environmental health during the year, the health education section of the Urban Services Department continued its educational efforts through publicity campaigns, use of the mass media and the arrangement of lectures and talks. Training courses in various aspects of public health were also held for specific groups of people. For the younger generation, particularly schoolchildren, the section works in close liaison with the Education Department, the Government Information Services, and various voluntary agencies such as the Hong Kong Red Cross, the Victoria Jaycees, the Scouts and the St John Ambulance Brigade, in order to promote health education and disseminate health knowledge through various activities such as con- tests and competitions.
The food (import/export) section of the department is responsible for regulating and examining imported meat, poultry, frozen confections and milk. It also inspects and certifies local food and animal products intended for export.
To maintain a high standard of food quality, close surveillance is undertaken by regular sampling for chemical analysis and microbiological tests.