cases notified in 1977 were under the age of 15.
Attendances at government chest clinice remained at the high level of
1.16 million.
During the year 98% of the newborn were given BCG. This is probably the highest coverage rate in the world. BCG vaccination was introduced in 1952. The resulting decline in infant mortality from tuberculosis is shown in Figure 7.
Social Hygiene Service
The number of venereal diseases treated was 4,808 sa compared with 6,340 in the previous year, a decrease of 24%. Approximately 4% of the cases came from the teenage group. The common venereal diseases were gonorrhoea (44%), non-gonococcal urethritis (19%) and syphilis (1%).
0.49% of the expectant mothers showed an initially positive serology but only 0.29% were found to be suffering from syphilis,
Figures 8 and 9 show the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea from
1963 to 1977.
New cases of leprosy numbered 73, representing a rate of 1.6 per 100,000 population.
Family Health Service
The Family Health Service provides a comprehensive health care programme for women of child bearing age and children from birth to five years. For maternal and child service, there are a total of 38 centres, 23 of which are full-time and the rest are part-time centres operating on a sessionsl basis. Family planning service is available in 41 centres, 5 of which are full-time while the rest are operated by mobile teams several times a week.
In 1977, over 90% of all newborns were brought to a centre for attention and advice on at least one occasion. Approximately 1% of new attendances were found to have abnormalities, such as congenital defects or effects of prematurity.
1976.
The total attendance was 1.61 million, an increase of 2% over that of
Industrial Health Service
There were 448 cases of decompression sickness and 2 cases of contact dermatitis notified. Among the non-notifiable occupational diseases, 219 cases of silicosis and 25 cases of gasing were recorded.
- 5-
A total of 2,925 tests were carried out on air samples taken from working and general environment for monitoring purposes. 430 surveys were done in connection with standards of thermal comfort, ventilation, noise and lighting in the working environment. For those engaged in radiation, diving
and compressed air work, a total of 1,808 clinical examinations were performed.
There were 81,973 occupational injuries, In addition 223 occupational deaths were recorded. Industrial health officers participated in medical boards to assess the disability of 20,519 injured workers.
Port Health Service
The Port Health Service continued to undertake the responsibility of enforcing control measures to prevent the introduction of diseases subject to the International Health Regulations into Hong Kong by sea, land and air.
The Service also continued to fulfil its duties in the supervision of the general sanitation of Port and Airport, maintenance of vaccination centres, maintenance of a medical clinic at the Airport and compilation and dissemination of epidemiological information by regular communication with the World Health Organisation.
In 1977, 4,294 ships arriving in Hong Kong were cleared. The number of vaccinations given at port health inoculation centres totalled 106,054.
V.
HOSPITAL SERVICES
(Tables 41 - 53)
At the end of 1977, a total of 19,779 hospital beds were availabe in Hong Kong, excluding those maintained by the armed forces. These were made up
as follows : 9,181 goverment, 8,199 government-assisted and 2,399 private, giving a ratio of 4.4 beds per 1,000 population.
To ensure the efficient use of hospital beds and medical facilities, the services have been regionalised since April 1977 with the whole of Hong Kong divided into four regions. The objective is to bring about a better appreciation of the medical and health needs of each of the main population centres.
The results of regionalisation have so far been encouraging. Although the demand for services at the two regional hospitals Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital still remains high, congestion has largely been relieved and bed occupancy in the various district hospitals has increased significantly.