HEALTH
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annually. The domestic water supply is also fluoridated to reduce dental decay. A 24- hour interactive voice response system (hotline number 2713 7028) is available to provide voice and fax information about the School Dental Care Service and oral health.
Specialist oral health services are provided to hospital patients and those with special oral health needs. An emergency dental service is provided to the general public at 11 designated dental clinics.
Family Health Service
The Family Health Service offers comprehensive primary health care for women and children below six years through 50 Maternal and Child Health Centres and for women aged 45 to 64 at three Women Health Centres. Antenatal and postnatal care are provided to mothers and family planning service is available for women of child- bearing age. Health education and counselling, physical examination, immunisation and comprehensive observation service are provided to those below six. About 42 per cent and 96 per cent respectively of expectant mothers and new-borns attended Maternal and Child Health Centres in the last year.
The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs eight birth control clinics and three youth health care centres which provide services in fertility regulation, contraception, male and female sterilisation, gynaecological check-ups, pre-marital check-ups and youth counselling. It also conducts programmes in family life education and sex education, in addition to outreaching programmes and publicity campaigns.
Student Health Service
The Student Health Service emphasises health promotion, disease prevention and continuity of care. A total of 11 student health service centres and two special assessment centres have been opened to provide free health assessment, individual health counselling and health education to all primary and secondary school students.
School health inspectors also visit schools regularly, advising on environmental hygiene and sanitation. School health officers and nurses advise on the control of communicable diseases, and organise health education activities and immunisation campaigns.
Medical Care for the Elderly
The provision of medical services for elderly patients is a priority area. Geriatric services are provided in all acute hospitals. Nine community geriatric assessment teams and eight psychogeriatric teams provide specialist support to elderly persons living in subvented residential homes and those applying for residential care, as well as to their carers. There are also 415 geriatric day places provided for elderly patients in public hospitals.
The Department of Health runs seven elderly health centres to provide health screening, counselling and health promotion activities for elderly people. A wide range of publicity programmes, including Health Ambassador training courses for the elderly, have been conducted to promote elderly health through community participation.