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HEALTH
raise the public awareness of fire safety and eliminate the danger of fire hazards, the Auxiliary Medical Service joined forces with the Fire Services Department to launch the Fire Services Ambassadors Scheme in 1998. In 1999, 556 voluntary members of the AMS were trained as Fire Services Ambassadors.
In 1999, the AMS actively participated in Phase 1 of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme co-ordinated by the Education and Manpower Bureau. The modules offered included basic first aid training, squad drills, casualty evacuation and physical training. Altogether, 323 youths satisfactorily completed the programme.
Radiation Health
The Radiation Health Unit of the Department of Health is the Government's adviser on radiation safety and protection. It advises the Government on the protection of public health in the event of a nuclear incident, on the management of radioactive materials and wastes, and on the health effects of radiation exposure. It also serves as the executive arm of the Radiation Board, which is the statutory authority set up under the Radiation Ordinance (Cap. 303), to control the import, export, possession and use of radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus. It safeguards public health against ionising radiation through licensing control and inspection of premises where radioactive substances or irradiating apparatuses are present. It also conducts radiation monitoring measurements and provides health surveillance of the occupationally exposed persons.
In 1999, the unit assessed and issued 6 065 licences and permits and provided monitoring service to
service to 7 185 occupationally exposed persons. The average occupational radiation exposure was 0.15 millisievert (mSv) against an annual statutory limit of 20 mSv.
Healthy Living into the 21st Century Campaign
Launched in May 1998 to instil a healthy lifestyle concept in the community through promotion of healthy habits, proper hygiene practices and environmental improvement, the three-year 'Healthy Living into the 21st Century' campaign focused on the theme of ‘clean and safe food' in 1999.
Various departments ran a series of publicity, educational and community involvement programmes to raise the awareness of the public, and particularly food traders and hygiene service providers, of the importance of maintaining high standards in food hygiene and safety. The Open Categorisation was implemented on a trial basis in licensed restaurants and food factories supplying meal boxes, and the Hygiene Manager Scheme was launched in licensed food factories supplying meal boxes. Another major initiative launched in 1999 was the 'Hygiene Blackspots Elimination Exercise' which aimed at involving the entire community in improving the overall cleanliness of Hong Kong.
Environmental Health
Working under the policy guidance of the two municipal councils, the Urban Services Department (USD) and the Regional Services Department (RSD) were responsible for the provision of environmental health services in Hong Kong in 1999.