HAY LING CHAU LEPROSARIUM
(Table 76)
194. This leprosarium. situated on an island six miles from Hong Kong Island, is maintained by the Leprosy Mission, Hong Kong Auxiliary, with the aid of a government subvention of $840,000. It provides in-patient and rehabilitation facilities for leprosy patients, and has special facilities for those who require reconstructive surgery, or who are suffering from intercurtent disease. Fortunately, the number of patients has fallen in recent years as a result of the decreasing incidence of leprosy, and at the end of 1971, there were fewer than 200 patients at Hay Ling Chau.
THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION
MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE
195. This centre, aided by a recurrent grant from the Government amounting to $670,000 in 1971, accommodates 80 patients, with occupational workshops and facilities for physiotherapy and the manu- facture of prostheses. It is designed to assist in the quick return to employment of those who have been injured, particularly as a result of industrial accidents.
NAM LONG HOSPITAL
196. The Nam Long, maintained by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, is situated at Brick Hill overlooking Aberdeen harbour. It has 120 beds, and takes in cancer patients, convalescing from major surgery, or from radiotherapy, and also those with advanced diseases. Chemotherapy is also given to patients. Cases are referred by govern- ment or private hospitals or by medical practitioners, and it is the policy of the hospital to admit only such cases. All needy patients receive free treatment, bui for those who are able to pay, a small fee is charged. Patients are provided with medical social service. During the year, a third ward of 60 beds was completed in the expansion programme, and when it is put into operation, the hospital will accom- modate a total of 180 patients.
THE HONG KONG BUDDHIST HOSPITAL
197. This hospital, situated in north-east Kowloon, was opened in October 1970. It has a capacity for 350 beds. The hospital is provided with beds for general medical, surgical and obstetric patients. During
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the year, additional clinics in dermatology, ophthalmology and obstetrics were opened. The hospital was assisted by the Government with $946.700 in 1971.
FANLING HOSPITAL.
198. The Fanling Hospital has 54 beds. It is situated in the Fanling area of the New Territories. It is administered by the Lutheran World Federation. From April 1971, it began to be assisted by the Govern- ment in respect of its recurrent expenditure on a two-thirds cost per bed, subject to a ceiling. In addition to the provision of an in-patient service for general cases, the hospital also operates an out-patient clinic for residents in the Fanling district.
VI. DEVELOPMENT
(Table 771
FORWARD PLANNING
199. Reference has been made to the unparalleled hospital develop- ment of the past 17 years. But the population has also been increasing rapidly, and there is considerable pressure on most categories of hospital beds, particularly those for acute and chronic general and mental patients. The White Paper on the Development of Medical Services in Hong Kong, tabled in the Legislative Council in February 1964, outlined the medical problems of the Colony and made suggestions to remedy deficiencies in order to produce, alongside a rapidly increas- ing population, a reasonably satisfactory standard of medical facilities. Developments were described as having to take account of the ability of the community to afford these facilities, either by direct payment or by indirect payment by means of taxation.
200. The working party which prepared the White Paper was re- constituted by the Governor as the Medical Development Plan Standing Committee. The Director of Medical and Health Services was appointed chairman, and the committee comprised two nominated members, and representatives of the Medical and Health Department, the Finance and Social Services branches of the Colonial Secretarial, and, when necessary, the Public Works Department. The committee has held 53 meetings since its inception, in order to keep the recommendations made in the White Paper under continual review and to report its conclusions on all major matters to the Government. The committee's activities
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