836 field surveys and 4,219 laboratory analyses were conducted, representing respectively an increase of 6% and a decrease of 16% compared with 1981.
There were 81,132 occupational injuries reported.
Of these, 70,879 non-fatal and 245 fatal cases were processed under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, In connection with workmen's compensation claims, 333 and 22,833 cases were assessed by occupational health officers and medical assessment boards respectively.
Health Education
The Central Health Education Unit provides professional advice on health education and serves as a resource unit providing technical aids and information. It plans, co-ordinates and develops activities within the department and with other organisations, The unit works to a Health Education Co-ordinating Committee set up in the Department to advise on programmes of activities. The committee also provides general guidance and assistance to the unit on the development and implementation of health education programmes.
In 1982, a major campaign entitled "Healthy Heart Campaign Protect your Heart, have an early start", was organised jointly by the Hong Kong Cardiology Society, the Hong Kong Heart Foundation and the Medical and Health Department. The aim of the campaign was to foster public understanding of heart disease, ways to prevent it, and the importance of early treatment. Other campaigns included eye care, tuberculosis, mental health, anti-smoking and care for the elderly. Public awarenesse vas encouraged through exhibition, public lectures, seminars, workshops and radio programmes.
In January 1983, two Health Educational Audio Visual Centres were set up to provide an extensive range of services to the general public. Comprehensive resource material on various health topics were made available for public viewing and reference. In addition, the centre also operated a free lending service for interested groups, voluntary agencies and schools.
Dental Service
A school dental care service was first introduced in 1980. The service provides regular dental examination and simple dental treatment to primary school children. The response from parents to this aspect of preventive dentistry has been very encouraging. At the end of the third year of operation some 134,633 Primary I, II and III school children had participated in the scheme. The participation rate has increased to about 56%, compared with 41% and 29% in the second and first year respectively. Ultimately, the scheme will provide cover for all primary school children, and six more school dental clinics have been planned in addition to the existing two clinics now in operation.
Training in dentistry is provided by the Prince Philip Dental Hospital. Starting in 1980, the school has a maximum capacity for training 60 students a year. The Tang Shiu Kin Dental Therapists Training School offers a 3-year training programme for Student Dental Therapists.
The Government Dental Service provides dental care for all civil servants and their dependants as well as simple dental treatment for the inmates of penal institutions and specialist treatment for patients in Covernment hospitals. Emergency treatment is also available to the public in a number of district dental clinics.
Port Health
The Port Health Services provides enforcement control at Hong Kong International Airport and in the territory's waters, to prevent the introduction of quarantinable diseases and to carry out other measures required under the International Health Regulations.
The service provides facilities for vaccination and the issuing of international vaccination certificates. It also inspects and supervises the eradication of rats from ships on international voyages. The service provides medical assistance to ships in the harbour, transmits medical advice to ships at sea, operates a 24-hour health clearance service for all incoming vessels, and grants radio pratique to ships.
The health staff also maintain close surveillance on the food catering service to international airlines to ensure that food and water supplied by the flight kitchen service is clean and safe.
Epidemiological information is exchanged regularly with the World Health Organisation in Geneva, its Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila and with neighbouring countries.
Refugees
The number of refugees arriving in Hong Kong continued to decrease in 1982. Under the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 1982, all newly arrived refugees, after undergoing initial disinfection procedures, were transferred to various closed camps for quarantine and detention. A wide range of facilities and services including recreational, social, medical and family planning services are incorporated inside these camps. The health status of these refugees is closely monitored and has been found to be satisfactory.
Voluntary agencies continued to co-operate in the running of clinics for the treatment of minor ailments in open refugee centres, while serious cases were referred to Government hospitals and specialist clinics for examination and treatment.
School Medical Service
The School Medical Service Scheme is operated by an independent School Medical Service Board. The scheme offers an economic form of medical treatment service to all school children in Primary I to Form III. Participation is voluntary and, for a token fee of $5 a year, a participant can receive free medical attention from a general medical practitioner of the school's choice. The Government contributes $50 a year for each pupil enrolled and also bears the administrative cost of operating the Scheme. The general response to the Scheme is favourable and more than 250 general medical practitioners have enlisted in the Scheme.
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