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155. The seventy-six registered midwives are expected to attain a reasonable standard of hygiene in their midwifery homes in the overcrowded areas. These homes are inspected periodically by the supervisor of midwives, one of the lady medical officers, and it is felt that these cases of cleanliness in a desert of dirt may serve as shining examples of how to triumph over environment.
156. It would naturally be thought that the sanitary inspectorate would play a leading part in inculcating the principles of hygiene into those whose lot it is to live in overcrowded and unhealthy areas. This should be possible once the Sanitary Department has been reorganised with the inspectorate under the direct supervision and control of the health officers.
157.
A certain number of lectures are given on hygiene and first aid by officers of the Medical Department, by the staff of the Chinese Public Dispensaries and by the St. John Ambulance Association, and use is also made of the English and Chinese Press and broadcasting for propaganda work.
(C) Training of Sanitary Personnel.
158. Courses of instruction are given by the medical officers of health, the malariologist and an engineer of the Public Works Department, and these include demonstrations in sanitation, entomology and sanitary engineering.
The system of control of sanitary personnel has already been the subject of remark in this report. Until the present unsatisfactory system is done away with, the training of the sanitary staff will continue to be imperfect and inadequate.
159. An examination for the Sanitary Inspector's Certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute was held in Hong Kong in 1938 and eleven candidates were successful.
(D) Recommendations for Future Work.
160. In connection with the recommendations contained in the Report for 1937 under this head it may be of interest to point out that the following action has been taken.
It is anticipated that the sanitary inspectorate will come under the direct control of the health officers as soon as the deputy director of health services assumes duty, a change which should allow reorganisation of the health administration of the Colony and improvement in the training of the sanitary personnel.
161. The estimates for the current year provide for the increase in staff recommended in the Report of 1937. A deputy director of health services, two European health officers, two Chinese health officers and an addition to the health personnel for Hong Kong and the New Territories have been provided for in 1939.
162. The Public Works Department has under consideration the question of extending the main sewerage system in Hong Kong and Kowloon, but unfortunately it has not yet been found practicable to improve the system of refuse disposal.
163. The report of the Housing Commission appointed in 1935 is receiving the close attention of Government, and a committee to deal with this question has been appointed under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Urban Council. Until this committee reports it is to be feared that no action will be possible in relation to slum clearance.