HEALTH
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Health Education
The Central Health Education Unit of the Medical and Health Department is responsible for organising, co-ordinating and promoting health education activities. During the year, the unit was actively involved in a number of campaigns, including the AIDS education and publicity campaign, home safety campaign, and organ donation campaign.
In the summer, the sixth course of the popular Young Health Leader Training Project was conducted, training 168 students from 31 secondary schools in health and leader- ship skills.
An exhibition to promote the proper use of medicine and to introduce the medical and health services was organised in October and attracted a large audience.
Other activities for youths included anti-smoking, adolescent health and sex education workshops at the audio-visual centres. Voluntary agencies and schools may also borrow film, video and slides, free of charge, for their own health education activities.
Increased community concern for health was evidenced from the increased patronage to the various health education programmes offered, such as the 24-hour telephone informa- tion service and the slide and video shows at out-patient clinics.
Close liaison was maintained with the media, medical professionals and other govern- ment departments for the smooth implementation of various campaigns and activities. During the year the unit took part in many press interviews and television and radio programmes, among which was a TV series on nutrition. Collaboration with medical bodies and various units in the department resulted in the increased production of useful health education materials for the general public.
Medical Charges
Medical charges remained low, reflecting a substantial subsidy from public funds despite the adjustment in September. Patients in the general wards of government hospitals were charged $23 a day and the fee covered everything from meals, medicine and laboratory tests, to surgery or any other treatment required. The charge may also be reduced or waived in cases of hardship as certified by the medical social worker. A limited number of private beds are provided at major government hospitals with higher maintenance and treatment charges.
The charge for consultation at general out-patient clinics was $12 while that for specialist clinics was $18. Charges for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, child assessment and home visits by community nurses were $18. These fees may also be waived if warranted.
The charge for injection and dressing in general out-patient clinics was $5 while visits to family planning clinics and methadone clinics remained at $1.
Free medical services continued to be offered at maternal and child health centres, tuberculosis and chest clinics, social hygiene clinics, accident and emergency departments, floating clinics and through the 'flying doctor' scheme.
Training of Health Personnel
The basic training of doctors is provided by the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Graduates of the two medical schools are awarded degrees recognised by the General Medical Council of Great Britain. The student intake at the University of Hong Kong remains at 150 a year. During the year, the Chinese University of Hong Kong produced its second group of 70 doctors, and these will be ready for full registration in 1988.