6
rarely seen and the overall mortality rate for tuberculosis in 1982 was 8:7 per 100,000 population.
Our health indices compare very favourably with those of the developed countries. Our infant mortality rate at 9.9 per 1,000 live births for 1982 and a maternal mortality rate at 0.01 per 1,000 for the
And with the improvements same period are amongst the lowest in the world.
in the standard of living and medical care, life expectancy at birth is now 72 years for men and 78 for wogen.
A comprehensive health care programme for expectant mothers and children from birth to five years old is provided through a network of family health centres. Services provided include ante- and post-natal care, infant welfare, family planning and health education.
Most of our health services are provided free. Nominal charges are made for attendance at out-patient clinics in government and subvented hospitals, but these charges may be waived in cases of hardship.
¡
The growth of our population requires a continuing expansion of our hospital and clinic services. Apart from extensions to existing hospitals, five new hospitals of over 1,300 beds each will be built over the next ten years. Plans are in hand for another 20 new clinics and polyclinics. We hope, by 1992, to provide 6.1 beds per 1,000 population (compared with 4.2 beds per 1,000 population now) and to increase clinic provision to 7.6 consulting rooms per 100,000 population (compared with the present 5.5 consulting rooms per 100,000 population).
Concem with the welfare of the people is not confined to the govemment and voluntary agencies. It is the concern of a very wide part of our community both young and old. We have rich benefactors who have given generously to universities, hospitals and other charitable works. For every rich benefactor there are thousands who give, within their modest means, of their time and money in community service. On six Sundays this winter 75,000 people have joined sponsored walks on the Island and in the New Territories to raise over $6 million for the Community Cheat. The success of the Community Chest since its establishment in 1968, both in its ability to raise money and the growing number of its member agencies who receive financial assistance from it, exemplifies this spirit of community support and involvement which is one of the inner strengths of Hong Kong..
/Nor is