Medical Centre provides fifty beds for the care of patients undergoing reconstructive surgery or suffering from intercurrent disease and a further 15 beds for male patients with tuberculosis. The construction of a Physiotherapy Unit and a ward for patients with tuberculosis, for which funds were raised by the Marianne Reichl Aid to Lepers Group. was completed in September. The opening ceremony was performed on the 3rd November, 1962 by Dr. N. FRASER, Medical Secretary of the Mission to Lepers, who was formerly the first Medical Superin- tendent of the Leprosarium. The Unit provides sufficient space and equipment for physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The ward of 4 beds is intended for women patients suffering from open tuberculosis as well as leprosy; however, in the absence of any such women patients this ward is at present used for men.
354. There is a close liaison with the Government Leprosy Clinies and all patients, the majority of whom are infectious, are admitted through these clinics. Most patients are treated with a combination of two drugs, particularly DDS, thiambutosine, sulphetrone and thiosemi- carbasone. However, all modern drugs available are used in the most suitable combinations necessary to achieve the quickest possible cure and very detailed records continue to be maintained. Vadrine was employed in the treatment of patients resistant to other drugs bur, like elisul, it was found to be very variable in its results.
355. During the year 284 surgical operations were performed of which 265 were to correct the deformities of leprosy. A new procedure was adopted for wasting of the thumb web and applied in 28 cases with promising results. The bone grafts used for the second stage of nasal reconstructions have proved satisfactory and show on sign of being absorbed.
356. All patients on the island are expected to work in accordance with their physical capacity and previous occupation; training is avail- able in agriculture, cottage industries and in certain light industrial occupations. There is a primary school for child patients, the staff of which hold evening classes for adults. Social activities continue as in a normal community.
Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital
357. This hospital was opened at the end of 1961 and is adjacent to a large resettlement estate area in Wong Tai Sin. The building of an additional wing to the hospital is now in the planning stage.
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358. A re-arrangement of the wards has increase the accommodation slightly during the year and there are now 55 beds in general wards, 4 in private wards and 20 cots. The Hospital is staffed by the Maryknoll Sisters, assisted by locally-trained nurses and midwives. A large general outpatient department is also maintained which was attended by 26,316 patients during 1962.
Sandy Bay Convalescent Home
359. This Home is maintained by the Hong Kong Society for the Relief of Disabled Children and now has 108 beds as the result of an extension built during 1962. All beds are for children requiring long- term orthopaedic care, particularly for bone and joint tuberculosis, most of whom have previously undergone major surgical operations at the Queen Mary Hospital. A school teacher is provided for the children by the Hong Kong Branch of the British Red Cross Society. London Missionary Society Maternity Clinic, Sheung Shui
360. This Maternity Clinic of 10 beds is conducted by a missionary Nursing Sister of the Society, assisted by locally appointed staff. Ante- natal and maternal and child health sessions are also maintained at the clinic. The Sheung Shui Maternity Clinic Advisory Board, consisting of local residents, supports the work and the London Missionary Society also makes an annual contribution towards running costs. This is augmented by an annually recurrent subvention from Government funds.
OUTPATIENT SERVICES
361. Pressure on all outpatient clinics continued to increase through- out the year. The outpatient clinics maintained by Government recorded some 6,094,000 attendances by patients, of which some 2,166,000 were
new cases.
362. New facilities which became available during the year included the three-storey Specialist Clinic on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site which was donated by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and opened in September 1962. The Anne Black Health Centre in North Point was opened in the same month by Lady BLACK, the wife of His Excellency the Governor; this clinic was built as a combined project between Government and Dr. TANG Shiu-kin and his friends who donated half the cost of construction. The Health Centre consists of an outpatient department, a maternal and child health centre, a maternity section of 8 beds and residential accommodation. In November 1962, a clinic was opened at Kai Tak Airport in the Terminal Building.
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