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HEALTH
THE Department of Health is the health authority and adviser to Government on all matters related to health. It operates a wide range of services to promote health and prevent diseases. These include personal health services such as out-patient clinics, family health and family planning, health education and community health, territory-wide health services for tuberculosis and chest health, social hygiene, child assessment, dental health, occupational health, disease surveillance, public health and special preventive programmes, environmental health, port health, radiation health, drug addiction treatment, pharmaceutical services and hygiene services. Through collaboration with the private sector and teaching institutions, the Department strives to provide a comprehensive range of primary health care services to the community.
The Hospital Authority is an independent statutory body responsible for the manage- ment and control of all public hospitals in Hong Kong. The Authority was established in December 1990 to integrate government and government-assisted hospitals with a view to optimising the use of resources, facilitating hospital management reforms and enhancing community participation. A comprehensive range of medical treatment and rehabilitation services is provided to patients through hospitals and specialist clinics operated by the Authority. Starting in 1992, management reforms have been introduced in eight public hospitals with emphasis on defining clear lines of accountability as well as greater devolution of responsibilities.
The Department of Health and the Hospital Authority continued to make progress on an extensive development programme which included the planning of additional public hospitals as well as additional general out-patient clinics and specialist out-patient services. Tuen Mun Hospital opened in 1990 and is now operating with 952 beds to serve the population in New Territories West and will provide a total of 1 607 beds upon full operation. Physical construction of the 1 620-bed Pamela Youde Hospital in Chai Wan is scheduled for completion in late 1992.
For the 1992-3 financial year, the allocation, of funds to medical and health services to the public sector amounted to $11,303 million including $10,035 million for the Hospital Authority. In addition, subventions totalling $169 million were provided for other medical institutions and organisations. Capital expenditure on new hospitals and other buildings, including equipment and furniture, was about $935 million.
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