HEALTH
154
in 1989, there were 37 prosecutions. In the Hospital Services Department, there are 56 pharmacists to look after the pharmaceutical needs of government hospitals.
Community Nursing Service
The Community Nursing Service provides domiciliary and rehabilitation nursing care and treatment for the sick, the elderly infirm and the disabled, in their own homes.
Jointly operated by eight agencies, including the Hospital Services Department, the service functions from a network of 48 hospital stations and satellite centres. During the year, 11 600 patients were served and more than 226 300 home visits were made.
Health Education
The Central Health Education Unit of the Department of Health is responsible for organising, co-ordinating and promoting health education activities. In 1989, the unit was actively involved in a number of campaigns, including those on AIDS education and publicity, notably the second World AIDS Day, home safety, organ donation, anti- malaria, immunisation and eye care.
The theme of the major health education campaign for 1989 was 'Let's Talk Health'. An exhibition was organised in November in City Hall and attracted a large audience.
The 10th Young Health Leaders' Training Course was organised during June 1989. It consisted of lectures, games and slide-shows on health-related subjects, to help the students learn health and leadership skills. Two hundred and fifty health leaders from 45 secondary schools graduated from this course, to promote health education at home, in school and among friends.
Other activities for youths included anti-smoking, adolescent health and sex educa- tion workshops at the audio-visual centres. Voluntary agencies and schools may also borrow film, videos and slides from the unit free of charge for their own health education activities.
The increased community concern for health is reflected by the popularity of the various health education programmes offered, such as the 24-hour telephone information service and the slide and video shows at out-patient clinics. An increasing number of people visited the various centres of the unit to obtain health information on various health topics.
Close liaison is maintained with the media, medical professionals, and other govern- ment departments and non-governmental organisations for the smooth implementation of various campaigns and activities. The unit participates in many television and radio programmes and press interviews. It provides advice and counselling to voluntary agencies and bodies concerning their health education activities.
Collaboration with medical bodies and various units in the department has resulted in the increased production of useful health education materials for the public.
Council on Smoking and Health
The Council on Smoking and Health is a statutory body established in 1987 to acquire and disseminate information on the health hazards of using tobacco products and to advise government on matters related to tobacco and health. During the year, the council carried out publicity and community events to discourage smoking, especially among the young population. Between April and June 1989 the government sought the opinion of the public on a package of measures recommended by the council to further restrict the use, sale and advertising of tobacco products. The results of the public consultation exercise are used in the formulation of future government policy on smoking and health.