6. Work on the Leper Settlement on Hay Ling Chau progressed so well that it was possible to transfer there at the end of September, 1952, all the lepers from the temporary settlement on Hong Kong Island. The Settlement is proving a satisfactory institution and is being efficiently organized and run by the Hong Kong Auxiliary of the Mission to Lepers. Financial grants are given to the Mission by the Hong Kong Government.
7. The foundation stone of the new Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital was laid by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent in October, 1952. This new hospital of 200 beds will cater primarily for the poor of the Colony. Funds for the construc- tion and equipping of the hospital were generously provided by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
8. In December 1952, a small hospital and dressing station was opened at the site of the new reservoir at Tai Lam Chung, New Territories, for the benefits of labourers who are working on the new Dam.
A clinic was opened in March 1953, in the new block of Police Quarters in Kowloon, for the police and their families. A doctor and nurse are in full time attendance.
10. During the period under review, two Blood Banks for the collection, atorage, and distribution of blood were opened at the Queen Mary Hospital and Kowloon Hospital. The local branch of the British Red Cross did excellent work in the collection of blood from a panel of volunteer donors for these two blood banks, which distribute the blood free to any hospital requiring it for emergency cases.
11. During the year it has been found possible to provide limited ophthalmological, dental, maternal and child health and social hygiene facilities for the inhabitants of the rural areas of the New Territories.
12. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and the World Health Organization continued to provide assistance on the following projects:-
2
1.
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Immunisation.
2. Maternal and Child Health,
3.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
In addition certain hospital equipment was provided and also free milk powder for distribution to poor children.
Stof.
13. In July 1952, the Director of Medical and Health Services attended the conference of Heads of Colonial Medical Services arranged by the Colonial Office at Oxford. In September 1952, he also attended the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Committee Meeting in Saigon, as an adviser to the United Kingdom delegation.
14. On 28th June, 1952, Dr. J. M. Liston, M.B., Ch.B. (Glas.), D.T.M. & H. (Lond.), D.P.H. (Lond.), on transfer from Sarawak, arrived in Hong Kong to take up the appointment of Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services.
15. The following local staff were sent to the United Kingdom for courses of study: -
1 Nursing Sister
1 Nurse
1 Laboratory Assistant
1 Assistant Almoner
I Dental Mechanic
1 Executive Officer (births and deaths registration).
16. The establishment of the Medical Department as at 31st March 1953, is shown in Appendix 1.
17. The numbers of registered medical and dental practi- tioners and ancillary medical workers registered under local enactments, are as follows:
Registered Medical Practitioners (excluding
Government personnel)
408
Registered Dentists (excluding Government Dental Surgeons and Service Dentists)
334