Chapter 8
Health
One of the cornerstones of the Government's health care policies is that no one should be denied adequate medical treatment through lack of means. The public health care sector provides a range of services and facilities to meet the health care needs of the community.
Hong Kong's health indices compare favourably with those of most developed countries. The infant mortality rate, one of the most important indicators of health, has shown a general declining trend over the past two decades and reached as low as 2.5 per thousand live births in 2004. The maternal mortality ratio has remained low for the past two decades. In 2004, there were only three cases of maternal death. reported, giving a maternal mortality ratio of 6.1 per hundred thousand live births. Longevity has also improved significantly for Hong Kong people over the years. On average, a baby boy born in 2004 could expect to live 78.6 years and a baby girl 84.6 years. Life expectancy at birth is projected to reach 82.5 for men and 88.0 for women in 2033.
Organisational Framework
The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau is responsible for, among other matters, the policy formulation and resource allocation for health in Hong Kong. It also oversees implementation of policies to protect and promote public health, to provide comprehensive and lifelong holistic care to each citizen, and to ensure that no one is denied adequate medical treatment due to lack of means.
The Department of Health is the Government's health adviser and agency to execute health care policies and statutory functions. It safeguards the community's health through a range of promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.
The Hospital Authority (HA) is a statutory body established in 1990 under the Hospital Authority Ordinance to provide public hospital and related services. It provides medical treatment and rehabilitation services to patients through hospitals, specialist clinics, general out-patient clinics, and outreaching services.
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