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HEALTH
buried in public cemeteries are subject to exhumation after six years. The exhumed remains are then either cremated or removed to an urn cemetery.
The Urban Council operates two funeral depots, one on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon, which provide free services for the disposal of the dead. In the urban areas there are five public cemeteries, two public crematoria and 18 private cemeteries. There are two war cemeteries under the management of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
In the Regional Council area, there are three public crematoria at Kwai Chung, Fu Shan and Wo Hop Shek under the management of the Regional Council. The first two are used for the cremation of dead bodies while the third is used solely for cremation of exhumed skeletal remains. Niches are provided at the columbaria in these three areas. The depart- ment also manages five public cemeteries, including the Wo Hop Shek Cemetery, the biggest public cemetery in use in Hong Kong, and oversees eight private cemeteries in the Regional Council area. To meet the demand of local inhabitants of outlying islands, a public cemetery is being constructed at Mui Wo to replace the Tai O cemetery which is expected to be full by early 1988.
Auxiliary Medical Service
The Auxiliary Medical Service, formed in 1950, is a volunteer medical civil defence organisation with members trained and equipped to provide an essential service to the public, especially in times of emergency. In 1987, the establishment was 5 835. About 1 500 of the members are professionally qualified in medical, nursing, para-medical or hospital administration services, while other volunteers come from all walks of life.
The primary role of the service is to augment the Medical and Health Services and the Ambulance Services. Emergency supply stores and teams of AMS members are evenly distributed throughout the territory, including Lantau, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau Islands. In the event of a major disaster, emergency medical resources would be available from the AMS to treat the injured on the spot, to convey casualties to hospitals, and to care for patients at both acute and convalescent hospitals.
In addition to emergency work, the members perform a variety of duties, such as first aid coverage at public functions, manning of medical posts at refugee camps, staffing methadone treatment centres and providing lifeguard services on public beaches and swimming pools.
The service has a fleet of eight ambulances and six motorcycle ambulances. On weekends and public holidays, ambulance services are provided in country parks and suburban areas in addition to motor-cycle ambulance patrols and first aid posts.
In addition, AMS is the agency in providing first aid training for government servants. Since 1972, some 17 786 civil servants have completed the basic first aid courses and passed the examinations. AMS first aid certificate holders are officially recognised as qualified first aiders.