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(G) Chinese Hospitals and Dispensaries.
207.
These institutions are situated entirely in the urban area of the Colony. They have been responsible, in the main, for the care of the sick poor amongst the Chinese community for many years. For details regarding the history and development of these hospitals and dispensaries, the reader is invited to refer to the Annual Reports for 1937 and 1938. Two facts are deserving of special mention.
208. Firstly, the Medical Committee of the Tung Wah Hospitals appointed by the Governor at the close of 1938 functioned as the executive committee of the hospitals in 1939. As might be expected, the first year of operation was hardly devoid of difficulties, for, up to the time of the appointment of the committee, the Board of Directors had exercised sole control and it was not altogether easy for the directorate to delegate its powers to another body—even though this body had a strong representation of members of the Board upon it. In spite of this, however, there can be no doubt whatsoever that the general efficiency of the hospitals improved to a marked extent.
Time, patience and forebearance will show whether this experiment is going to be successful. It is rather early yet to judge, but every endeavour will be made to achieve success in this regard.
209. Secondly, the question of the status of the Chinese public dispensaries was raised during the year, the initiative being taken in this matter by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Chairman of the Committee, to whose insight, guidance and cooperation in matters affecting the health and wellbeing of the community, officers of the Medical Department owe so much. Briefly, the tentative suggestion was that the Committee should hand over the control of these dispensaries, whose sphere of usefulness could be considerably widened, to the Medical Department subject to certain conditions. The value of such a step is sufficiently apparent not to need any emphasis. It would make it possible for the institutions to be converted into health centres where the general public—or, at any rate, those unable to pay the fees of private practitioners—could not only obtain treatment for all minor maladies but where the work could be extended to include maternal and child welfare services, care of the school child, diagnosis and treatment of cases of ophthalmic disease, tuberculosis and venereal disease, and where public health museums and propaganda could be arranged.
210. The three tables which follow provide statistical evidence of the very considerable services accorded to the general community by the Tung Wah group of hospitals and by Chinese public dispensaries.