HEALTH
teams to provide more efficient assessment and treatment for patients in acute hospitals. In addition, 50 day-places were provided for elderly patients.
A network of nursing homes with medical and nursing facilities is being developed for elderly patients. In line with the spirit of community care, non-profit-making organisations are being invited to build and manage some of the nursing homes, with assistance from the government in the form of land and part of the capital and running costs. By 1997, seven nursing homes providing 1 400 beds will be in operation.
A pilot health centre for the elderly in Nam Shan commenced operation in May. It provides screening and health counselling services for elderly patients, as recommended by the Working Party on Primary Health Care.
In 1994-95, six new specialist medical teams were formed to provide health care, assessment and rehabilitation services for a total of 55 700 elderly people.
School Health
The School Medical Service Scheme is operated by an independent School Medical Service Board. All students from Primary 1 to Form 3, from participating schools, can join the scheme voluntarily by paying a token fee of $20 a year. At the end of 1994, more than 336 417 children from 1 098 schools participated in the scheme — representing about 46 per cent of the eligible school population. Some 517 general medical practitioners were enlisted. Since November, a student pays $20 per consultation. The government contributes $14,615 a year for each pupil enrolled and also bears the administrative costs.
A new Student Health Service, with emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention and continuity of care, will replace the existing School Medical Service in November 1995. The commissioning of the service is being undertaken by the Department of Health.
School health inspectors from the department also make regular inspections of schools, advising them on environmental hygiene and the sanitation of school premises. School health officers and nurses advise on the control of communicable diseases, and organise health education activities and immunisation campaigns.
Port Health
The Port Health Service is the control authority for preventing the entry of quarantinable diseases into Hong Kong by air, land or sea. It enforces the measures stipulated under the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance and international health regulations.
A 24-hour health clearance service is provided for all incoming vessels and radio pratiques are granted to ships. The service provides vaccination facilities and issues international vaccination certificates. It 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.
The food catering service for international airlines is kept under close surveillance to ensure that food and water supplies to flight kitchens are clean and safe.
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.
In view of an outbreak of plague in India in late 1994, surveillance measures were strengthened at air and sea ports to prevent the introduction into, and the spread of the
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