determine the type and extent of these facilities was carried out and among other findings, it was shown that approximately 22% of em- ployees in registered and recorded industrial undertakings were covered by medical care schemes staffed by registered medical practitioners.
REGISTRATION OF MEDICAL CLINICS
(See table 44)
84. As on 31st December, 1966, there were 82 registered clinics in the charge of registered medical practitioners, and 393 clinics registered with exemption which were for the most part in charge of unregistered medical practitioners. The total of 475 clinjes included 54 mobile vans.
85. Two medical inspectors of clinics continued throughout the year to make regular inspections of all clinics whose names appeared on the Register..
86. The Report of the Advisory Committee on Clinics, appointed in June 1965 under the Chairmanship of the Hon. D. RUTTONJEE, C.B.E, J.P., published in March 1966, was studied in detail by Government; as a consequence of certain recommendations made by the Committee, the Medical Clinics Ordinance was amended in several sections. The Ordinance has now extended the power of the Registrar of Clinics to register clinics with exemption for a further three years from January 1967. All clinics, whether registered or registered with exemption, are required to be re-registered annually. A Code of Practice has been issued to all unregistered practitioners in charge of exempted clinics; this not only contains certain rules of conduct but defines the scope of their professional activities and contravention of the Code by unregis- tered practitioners can now be regarded as sufficient reason either for refusal to grant exemption or for cancellation of re-registration of exempted clinics.
no
87. In accepting the Advisory Committee's recommendation that all mobile vans should be abolished by the end of December 1967, provision is made in the Ordinance for re-registration of mobile clinics after that date. In their stead, the Committee recommended the setting up of proper clinics in all resettlement and low cost housing authority estates, and providing one doctor for every 6,000 residents. A scheme has since been formulated and will be put into operation early in the coming year. With the co-operation of the Resettlement Department and the Housing Authority, clinics will be set up in all estates to provide low-cost medical care in the estates. In the allocation of such premises, registered doctors will be given priority as recommended by the Report.
24
REALTH EDUCATION
88. A better appreciation by the Colony's population of the basic principles of personal and environmental hygiene and the prevention of disease continues to be the main health objective. A very wide field is covered by many branches of the Medical and Health Department, and the co-operation of all voluntary bodies interested in such topics is actively sought. During the year the Department co-operated in a number of exhibitions, notably the Fifth Kai Fong Health Education Exhibition in July-August 1966 by producing displays on various aspects of preventive medicine.
IV. WORK OF THE MEDICAL DIVISION
(See Tables 45-481
89. At the end of 1966, there was a total of 12,851 beds available in all hospitals in Hong Kong excluding those hospitals maintained by Her Majesty's Armed Forces. An additional 515 beds in private mater- nity and nursing homes were also available. The total of 13,366 beds available in Hong Kong represents 3.5 beds per thousand of the popula- tion. Development over the past 10 years is illustrated in Figure 11 and it will be noted that the bed provision in 1966 represents an increase of more than 90% over the bed provision in 1957.
HOSPITAL BEDS
10000
10,000-
4.000
2000
37
FIGURE I
FOOSPITAL DEDS 1997» | NGA
HOME TOTAL
GOYT ASSISTED GOVERNMENT
-- PRIVATE
=
$9
20
** 62 63
64
KA
YEAR
25