HEALTH
School Health
The School Medical Service Scheme is operated by an independent School Medical Service Board. Participation is voluntary and all children from Primary 1 to Form 3 of the participating schools can join the scheme by paying a token fee of $15 a year. As at December 31, 1990, more than 352 800 children from 1 116 schools have participated - representing about 45 per cent of the eligible school population – and about 540 general medical practitioners have enlisted. Starting from November 1, 1990, each child has to pay $12 for each consultation made at the chosen medical practitioner's office. The government contributes $105 a year for each pupil enrolled and it also bears the administrative cost.
The School Health Service, a government responsibility, deals with the environmental health and sanitation of school premises and the control of communicable diseases. School health officers, health visitors and health inspectors make regular inspections of schools to advise on matters concerning the health of children and organise health education activities and immunisation campaigns.
Port Health
The Port Health Service is the control authority to prevent the introduction of quaran- tinable diseases into Hong Kong via air, land, rail or sea and to enforce the measures stipulated under the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance and the Inter- national Health Regulations.
A 24-hour health clearance service is provided for all incoming vessels, including those ferrying refugees, and radio pratiques are granted to ships. The service provides vaccination facilities and issues international vaccination certificates. It also inspects and supervises the eradication of rats from ships on international voyages and ensures adequate standards of hygiene and sanitation on board vessels or aircraft. It provides medical assistance to ships and planes within the territory and transmits medical advice to vessels at sea.
The food catering service for international airlines is kept under close surveillance by health staff to ensure that the food and water supplied to flight kitchens is clean and safe. The hygiene and sanitation of the airport is also under the strict scrutiny of health staff.
The service regularly exchanges epidemiological information with the World Health Organisation in Geneva and its Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila, as well as with neighbouring countries.
Review of Primary Health Care
In August 1989, the Working Party on Primary Health Care was set up to conduct a comprehensive review of Hong Kong's primary health care services. The working party reviewed the provision of the general out-patient service, maternal and child health care including family planning, the school medical service, health education and immunisation and other forms of preventive programmes. It examined the respective roles of government and private sector in the provision of primary health care to the community and suggested arrangements to strengthen the co-ordination between the out-patient clinics and the hospitals. The working party submitted its report to government at the end of 1990.
Dental Services
The School Dental Care Service aims at promoting dental health among schoolchildren. Services provided include regular dental examination, treatment and oral health education.
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