HEALTH
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the resources in each district and has improved the bed occupancy rate of some subvented district hospitals.
In 1982, the total casualty attendance was 960 000, averaging 2 630 attendances per day. More than 656 000 patients were treated in the 13 government and 19 government- assisted hospitals.
Clinics
Hospital services are supported by specialist clinics which provide out-patient specialist and follow-up services, and general clinics which provide out-patient general and preventive health services. Out-patient services offered by the government, subsidised organisations and private agencies have been considerably expanded to cope with the growing population. The government now operates 59 general out-patient clinics, polyclinics and specialist clinics. Evening, Sunday and public holiday sessions are also held at clinics in the more densely- populated areas as part of an overall measure to meet the demand for out-patient services. Mobile dispensaries and floating clinics take medical services to the outlying islands and the more remote areas of the New Territories. Other inaccessible areas are visited regularly by the 'flying doctor' service with assistance from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. At the end of 1982, 357 clinics were registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance. Of these, 87 clinics were under the control of a registered medical practitioner, as required under the ordinance, and 270 were exempted from this requirement. Registered medical practitioners members of the Estate Doctor Association set up clinics in housing
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estates to provide a low-cost service for residents to alleviate the pressure at government out-patient clinics which charge only $3 per visit.
The total attendance figure at government out-patient clinics was 14.4 million in 1982, seven per cent more than the previous year.
Family Health
The Family Health Service operates 41 centres, providing a comprehensive health pro- gramme for women of child-bearing age and children up to five years. Family planning is an important component of the Family Health Service. Ante-natal and post-natal health consultant sessions are conducted for mothers. Immunisation programmes are carried out against tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles and rubella. During the year, about 90 per cent of newborn babies attended the Family Health Centres. The comprehensive observation scheme introduced in 1978 to detect and assess early developmental abnormalities, and where necessary to provide follow-up treatment, is now available at 41 family health centres. Children attending these centres may, if their condition warrants it, be referred to child assessment centres for further examination by various specialists in this field, including paediatricians, clinical psychologists, physio- therapists, speech therapists, audiology technicians and medical social workers. The system enables rehabilitation processes to start as early as possible. An expansion programme to set up six more child assessment centres on a regional basis is in progress.
The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs 41 clinics providing vasectomy, female sterilisation and sub-fertility services, and a marital con- sultation service for young couples. In 1982, more than 40 000 new clients visited the association's clinics. The Family Health Service of the Medical and Health Department also conducts educational programmes for school and community agencies; runs training programmes for midwives, teachers and social workers; organises information and publicity campaigns; and carries out clinical trials and surveys.