321. The average number of patients in residence throughout the year was 531. There were 138 admissions, and 119 patients discharged of whom 87 were in possession of negative certificates: there were 2 dlcaths.
322. All patients receive regular and controlled treatment, the majority receiving D.D.S. in its various forms. An increasing number are being given thiambutosine by mouth and a small group was put on ditophal by inunction.
323. Much work has been done on the prevention of damage to anaesthetic hands and feet and the importance of this aspect is con- tinually emphasized to the patients so afflicted. In the surgical wards reconstructive surgery was carried out on a number of patients and 189 operations were performed for this purpose.
324. The detailed radiological study of the hands and feet of all patients was continued and a Bouroscopy survey was done of all patients and staff. The laboratory undertakes regular skin smears and other routine investigations while a start was made on the taking, preparation and examination of skin biopsies from all patients.
325. All patients on the Island are expected to work in accordance with physical ability and previous occupation. Even the severely disabled and bedridden are encouraged to do basket work and embroidery, Patient-farmers supplied most of the vegetables consumed and pigs, rabbits and poultry are raised. Cattle breeding was discontinued on the advice of the Government Veterinary Department. Patients also carried out routine maintenance work and hospital and domestic duties.
326. A new activity was the planting, by the Forestry Department, of 10 acres of pine seedlings as a prelude to Future afforestation to be carried out by patients. A start was made on the raising of seedlings on the Island and a small area was planted by the patients.
327. There is a primary school for child patients, the staff of which hold evening classes for adults. An average of 27 children attended the school and 137 adults attended evening classes.
328. Trade training is carried out in workshops and the scope of training will be extended to tailoring and embroidery when a new work- shop, now under construction, is ready. The new building is being built from funds donated by the Marianne Reichl Aid to Lepers Group and it will also contain a clothing store and laundry.
329. Church activities and religious services for both Protestants and Catholics were continued and a new Church is being planned. Social
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activities continued as in a normal community with games, a Drama group, a fortnightly film show and Boy Scouts and Girl Guides troops. 330. There is a close liaison with the Government Social Hygiene Service which undertakes the out-patient treatment of leprosy in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. The majority of admissions to Het Ling Chau are arranged in co-operation with this Service which also carried out the medical follow-up of discharged patients. There is also a close liaison between the Island Welfare Officer and the Government Social Welfare and Resettlement Departments,
Tuberculosis Hospitals
331. Reference has already been made in paragraphs 151 to 158 and 160 to 162 of the work carried out by the Grantham Hospital, the Ruttonjee Sanatorium, the Haven of Hope Sanatorium and the Sandy Bay Convalescent Home,
OUT-PATIENT SERVICES
332. In addition to the large increase in the size of the population during the past ten years there has been a considerable expansion in the demand for treatment by Western medicines. This has necessitated a rapid expansion of out-patient facilities at hospitals, clinics, health centres and public dispensaries throughout the Colony. The impact on the Government services alone is shown in Table 29 below and this does not take into account the work done by Government-assisted institutions or the service provided from numerous charity or low cost clinics maintained by a variety of welfare and other organizations.
TABLE 29
GOVERNMENT CUT-PATIENT SERVICES 1950/59
1950
1955
1959
Number of out-patient centres tincluding
Hospital O.P. Departments)
New out-patient attendanceS
Total out-patient attendances
36 852,328 1.538,268
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70 1,604,856 1,732,832 2,869.045 5,107,644
333. During the year regular specialist out-patient sessions were maintained at a number of centres by the tuberculosis, social hygiene, surgical, ophthalmic maternal and child health, and ear, nose and throat services. In addition, consultant sessions in general medicine have been started at seven centres in the urban and rural areus.
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