HEALTH
demand, evening, Sunday and public holiday sessions are also provided. Total attendance was 10.7 million in 1992. To cater for increasing demand, 13 additional clinic projects have been included in the medical development programme in the next decade. Mobile dispensaries and floating clinics provide the necessary medical services to remote areas of the New Territories and outlying islands. Other inaccessible areas are visited regularly by the 'flying doctor' service, with the assistance of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force.
The Department of Health also operates child assessment, tuberculosis and chest, leprosy, social hygiene, dermatology and clinical genetics services, providing both preventive and curative services for different patient groups.
At the end of the year, there were a total of 89 clinics operated by various charity organisations registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance and 139 registered as exempted clinics. Registered medical practitioners belonging to the Estate Doctors' Association run clinics in housing estates to provide a low-cost service for residents. Private medical practitioners continue to attend to the majority of out-patients.
Family Health
The Family Health Services of the Department of Health operate 46 maternal and child health centres, providing a comprehensive health programme for women of child-bearing age and children below six years. Ante-natal and post-natal medical consultation, as well as family planning services, are offered to women. Immunisation, child health advice and physical examinations are provided for children. During the year, about 90 per cent of. newborn babies attended maternal and child health centres.
Under the Comprehensive Observation Scheme, children are assessed at different ages for early detection of developmental abnormalities. They are referred to specialist clinics or child assessment centres for further examination as necessary.
At present, there are four government and one government-assisted assessment centres. These provide comprehensive physical, psychological and social assessment as well as treatment, parental counselling and referral for appropriate placement of children in the various institutions and centres run by the government and voluntary agencies. Three more centres have been included in the Department of Health's medical development programme.
Health education is an essential component of the Family Health Services. In addition to health talks and counselling on child care at centres, health education for expectant mothers is extended to public hospitals, with emphasis on the promotion of breast-feeding. A telephone service is available to answer public enquiries.
The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs 22 birth control clinics, providing services such as pre-marital counselling, contraception, sterilisa- tion, vasectomy and advice on sub-fertility. There is also emphasis on health education and publicity on family planning and sex education.
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 $20 a year. As at
141