4
Thursday, July 27, 1972
The Board feels that the increase will also enable doctors to
supply a wider range of medicines and drugs. At present the cost of any
medicines or drugs, for example antibiotics, which are not listed in the
approved formulary is being borne by the pupils themselves.
The School Medical Service provides a full medical examination
upon enrolment, further examinations at doctors' discretion, and an
In this way, it unlimited number of consultations at doctors' clinic.
serves the special needs of school children for the early detection and
diagnosis of defects in childhood, and continued medical supervision,
which cannot be adequately met by the public medical service.
The low level of enrolment reflects the fact that, in the Board's
view, among other reasons, the majority of parents in Hong Kong are not
"insurance minded."
The School Medical Service Board was set up in 1964 to operate
a scheme to provide economical medical treatment to pupils in registered
schools. Participation of pupils and doctors is voluntary, and pupils
may join the scheme any time they wish for a period of 12 months from
the date of entry.
These revisions in the scheme are expected to cost the Government
an estimated $729,000 for the current financial year at the present enrolment.
The scheme will be reviewed in two years.
.
15