HEALTH
party's terms of reference have been formulated having regard to the government's policy in the last 150 years of respecting the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. During the year, the working party commissioned surveys and consulted widely on the present practice of the principal forms of traditional Chinese medicine in Hong Kong and the forms of training given to practitioners. In May 1990, a Professional Consultative Committee comprising members of the working party and members engaged in the practice of tradi- tional Chinese medicine was formed to strengthen communication and to ensure an adequate exchange of views between members of the trade and the working party. The working party will identify whether there is any widespread abuse of traditional Chinese medicine which poses a significant risk to health and will advise on measures that should be taken to promote the good practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
Medical Charges
Medical charges remained low, reflecting a substantial subsidy from public funds. Patients in the general wards of government hospitals are charged $34 a day and the fee covers everything from meals, medicine and investigation tests, to surgery or any other treatment required. The charge may be reduced or waived in cases of hardship certified by a medical social worker. A limited number of private beds are provided at major government hos- pitals with higher maintenance and treatment charges.
The charge for consultation at general out-patient clinics is $18, while that for specialist clinics is $28. Charges for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and child assessment are $28. Attendance at geriatric or psychiatric day centres and home visits by community nurses cost $27. These fees may also be waived if warranted.
The charge for injections and dressings in general out-patient clinics is $7, while charges for visits to family planning clinics and methadone clinics remain at $1.
Free medical services continued to be offered at maternal and child health centres, tuber- culosis and chest clinics, social hygiene clinics and accident and emergency departments.
Training of Medical and 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 medical student intake at the University of Hong Kong remained at 151 in 1990. During the year, the Chinese University of Hong Kong took in its 10th group of 162 students.
Under the licentiate scheme of the Hong Kong Medical Council, 26 externally-trained doctors passed the local licentiate examination in 1990. After satisfactory completion of an externship programme in public hospitals, they will become registered medical practitioners.
In 1989, the government decided to establish a statutory Hong Kong Academy of Medicine to be responsible for organising and supervising post-graduate and continuing medical education in Hong Kong. The purpose of the academy is to enhance clinical competence and thereby improve medical services. The academy will set standards, define the contents and duration of training courses and accredit specialist qualifications. It would have as its main objective the advancement and promotion of the science and practice of medicine. A preparatory committee was set up in March 1990 to make preparations for the formation of the academy.
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