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Friday, July 21, 1972
Dr. Choa reminded the graduates, who would be going as teachers into
Government schools, that in their daily contacts with their pupils, they would
have opportunities to notice early changes in the health and vivacity of their
charges, so that, from this point of view, their roles were obviously important.
For example, a teacher would be in a position to be suspicious of defective
eye sight or even heart disease among his pupils, because of poor performance
in the classroom or in the playground.
Dr. Choa said he thought it was important that future teachers should
know something about infection, immunity and communicable disease control.
"It is clearly the teacher's job to help the health workers to ensure
and verify that BCG for tuberculosis, smallpox vaccination and immunisation
against whooping cough, diptheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles, have
taken place," Dr. Choa said.
He gave credit to the co-operation from parents that had enabled the
Department to achieve success in controlling infectious diseases in Hong Kong,
Dr. Choa also stressed the need for teachers to assist the authorities
to spread news of the importance of environmental and personal hygiene because of
the danger that lack of proper appreciation of hygiene could lead to cholera,
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dysentery and typhoid fever.
He recommended that instructions such as keeping the hands clean,
protecting food and water, and keeping the garbage bin closed, be continuously
given to the young in a language that they could easily understand.
Keeping the city clean was a slogan which they should learn not only
early but also remember for the rest of their lives.
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