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HEALTH
Other projects in the pipeline include further extensions to the Caritas Medical Centre, United Christian Hospital, Yan Chai Hospital and Pok Oi Hospital and the redevelopment of the Ruttonjee Sanatorium into a 462-bed general hospital. Emphasis was also placed on the provision of infirmary beds for the elderly infirm and the severely disabled and a total of 2 400 beds are planned for the coming decade.
In 1986, the total attendance at government and government-assisted accident and emergency departments was 1 134 000, averaging 3 107 attendances per day. More than 644 000 patients were treated at 14 government and 20 government-assisted hospitals.
Clinics
General out-patient services form a vital part of the health care system. The government now operates 65 public general out-patient clinics as well as polyclinics and specialist clinics. Evening, Sunday and public holiday sessions continued at clinics in the more densely populated areas as part of the overall measures to meet the expanding demand for out-patient services. The medical development programme includes 22 clinic and polyclinic projects throughout the territory.
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 the assistance of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force.
At the end of 1986, 321 clinics were registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance. Of these, 95 clinics were under the control of a registered medical practitioner and 226 were registered under the provisions for exempting certain clinics. Registered medical practi- tioners members of the Estate Doctor Association - set up clinics in housing estates to provide a low-cost service for residents.
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The total attendance figure at government out-patient clinics was 16 million in 1986, 4.8 per cent more than in the previous year.
Family Health
The Family Health Services of the Medical and Health Department operate 44 Maternal and Child Health Centres, providing a comprehensive health programme for women of child-bearing age and children aged up to five years. Family planning is an important component of the Family Health Services. Ante-natal and post-natal health consultation sessions are conducted for mothers. Immunisation programmes are carried out against tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles and rubella. During the year, about 93 per cent of newborn babies were checked at the family health
centres.
The comprehensive observation scheme to detect and assess early developmental abnormalities, and where necessary to provide follow-up treatment, is now available at 44 family health centres. Children attending these centres may, if their condition warrants it, be referred to child assessment centres or various specialist units for further examination. The system enables rehabilitation processes to start as early as possible.
Two child assessment centres are in operation and six other regional multi-disciplinary child-assessment centres will be established in the coming decade.
Health education is extended to expectant mothers at major government hospitals, with particular emphasis on the promotion of breastfeeding. A telephone service is available to answer enquiries from the public. The government-subvented Family Planning Associa- tion of Hong Kong runs 30 birth control clinics.