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HEALTH
For the financial year 1982-3, the Medical and Health Department's estimated expendi- ture is $1,370 million. In addition, subventions totalling about $776 million are being made to many non-government medical institutions or organisations.
Health of the Community
Hong Kong people continue to enjoy good general health, largely due to anti-epidemic and disease surveillance measures, developments in preventive and personal health services, and a higher standard of living. This progress is reflected in yet further improvements in the health indices and the decline in the incidence of major communicable diseases.
The leading causes of death today are various forms of cancer, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The low infant mortality rate is attributed to the provision of comprehensive family health care facilities as well as improvements in environmental and socio-economic conditions.
Because of stringent health measures, Hong Kong has been free from quarantinable diseases for many years and 1982 was no exception. During the year, five cases of im- ported cholera and three cases of local cholera were reported. There were no secondary cases, due to prompt treatment and effective control measures. The common childhood communicable diseases, such as diphtheria, measles and poliomyelitis, have been either virtually eradicated from the community or brought under control.
Following the first outbreak of canine rabies for 25 years in October 1980, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Medical and Health Department took swift action to control the disease. Since the outbreak, which claimed three human lives, 17 dogs and one cat, some 130 000 dogs have been innoculated against rabies and some 100 000 stray or unwanted dogs destroyed. The Medical and Health Department has vaccinated 4 344 persons bitten by animals, with 16 of the cases also being given anti-rabies serum.
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Following the death of three cows from anthrax on a large commercial farm in Pok Fu Lam on Hong Kong Island in March, two cases of the disease were detected among the farm workers in April. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Health Authority carried out stringent preventive control measures: the infected area was segregated and thoroughly cleansed and disinfected; the workers at risk were put under medical surveillance; and precautionary procedures were introduced. This brought the situation under control and no further cases were detected.
During the year, 80 cases of malaria were reported. All except three were imported, affecting mainly travellers and refugees from nearby Southeast Asian countries. The Medical and Health Department and the New Territories Services Department have stepped up anti-malarial measures for controlling the vector and the disease.
With outbreaks of pediculosis infestations still being reported among schools in the urban and rural areas, regional health staff conducted screening and treatment programmes in which more than 8 000 children were treated. Health educational activities were directed towards stressing the importance of maintaining an adequate standard of personal hygiene.
Hospitals
There are three types of hospitals in Hong Kong - government, government-assisted and private - with a total of 22 690 beds representing 4.3 beds per thousand of the population. Pressure on the service was experienced on all fronts, reflected by the increase in attendance at out-patient clinics and casualty departments, and by the number of hospital admissions. A regionalisation scheme of the medical and health services ensures optimum ultilisation of