C 14
THE CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES.
14. The origin of the Chinese Public Dispensaries was a movement made in 1904 by certain leading Chinese citizens especially Messrs. Fung Wa-chun, Lau Chu-pak and Ho Kom-tong, with the help and encouragement of Mr. A. W. Brewin, then Registrar-General. This movement began in the hope of coping with the scandal of the abandonment of dead bodies in the streets.
15. In 1905 two depots were established, the Western and the Eastern. In immediate charge of each depot was a Chinese doctor qualified in Western medicine who was assisted by an English-speaking clerk.
16. In 1909 the Government gave the movement public support and encouragement and the Committee became the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee under the chairmanship of the Registrar-General, now the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
17. It was declared at the time that the work of the depots or dispensaries was not hospital work and that the Chinese doctors employed were simply to diagnose disease and not to treat it. However, treatment centres were needed, and treatment, commenced in a small way, gradually developed until now the principal function of the dispensaries is medical relief. But in addition to the ordinary work of the clinic and dispensary these institutions serve as depots where the poor may apply for assistance in matters connected with:-
(a) The removal of patient to hospital.
(b) Certification as to the cause of death.
(c) Removal of corpses to mortuaries.
(d) Supply of coffins and arrangements for burial.
(e) The registration of births.
(f) Vaccination.
18. There are now nine Chinese Public Dispensaries, five on the Island of Hong Kong and four in Kowloon. The Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital, which was formerly administered by the Committee of the Chinese Western Dispensary, was handed over to Government as a gift on January 1st, 1934.
19. One of the dispensaries is housed in rooms attached to a temple. Another, at Aberdeen, consists of two rented shops temporarily adapted for the purpose. Gradually up-to-date buildings are taking the place of the temporary ones. The dispensaries at Shaukiwan and Wanchai are excellent buildings of their kind, as those on the Kowloon side at Yaumati, Kowloon City and Shamshuipo.
20. This latter is housed in a new building which was opened on 26th October, 1936. Designed on modern lines it affords ample accommodation for the large clientele which attends daily.
21. A gynaecological clinic is held by one of the Government Lady Medical Officers once or twice a week at each of the dispensaries.
22. Each dispensary has a room attached to it where dead bodies can be received for transport to the mortuaries preliminary to burial. Coffins are provided free.
23. On 11th March, 1936, a beginning was made with a public dispensary in Stanley Village replacing and continuing a privately operated dispensary under the auspices of St. Stephen's College. This is additional to the nine dispensaries referred to in paragraph 18. The premises are part of a temple building. No collections have so far been made in Stanley itself, and expenses are defrayed from the Aberdeen Dispensary funds.
C 14
THE CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES.
14. The origin of the Chinese Public Dispensaries was a movement made in 1904 by certain leading Chinese citizens especially Messrs. Fung Wa-chun, Lau Chu-pak and Ho Kom-tong, with the help and encouragement of Mr. A. W. Brewin, then Registrar-General. This movement began in the hope of coping with the scandal of the abandonment of dead bodies in the streets.
15. In 1905 two depots were established, the Western and the Eastern. In immediate charge of each depot was a Chinese doctor qualified in Western medicine who was assisted by an English-speaking clerk.
16.
In 1909 the Government gave the movement public support and encour- agement and the Committee became the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee under the chairmanship of the Registrar-General, now the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
17. It was declared at the time that the work of the depots or dispensaries was not hospital work and that the Chinese doctors employed were simply to diagnose disease and not to treat it. However, treatment centres were needed, and treatment, commenced in a small way, gradually developed until now the principal function of the dispensaries is medical relief. But in addition to the ordinary work of the clinic and dispensary these institutions serve as depots where the poor may apply for assistance in matters connected with:-
(a) The removal of patient to hospital.
(b) Certification as to the cause of death.
(c) Removal of corpses to mortuaries.
(d) Supply of coffins and arrangements for burial.
(e) The registration of births.
() Vaccination.
18. There are now nine Chinese Public Dispensaries, five on the Island of Hong Kong and four in Kowloon. The Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital, which was formerly administered by the Committee of the Chinese Western Dispensary, was handed over to Government as a gift on January 1st, 1934.
19. One of the dispensaries is housed in rooms attached to a temple. Another, at Aberdeen, consists of two rented shops temporarily adapted for the purpose. Gradually up-to-date buildings are taking the place of the temporary ones. The dispensaries at Shaukiwan and Wanchai are excellent buildings of their kind, as those on the Kowloon side at Yaumati, Kowloon City and Shamshuipo.
20. This latter is housed in a new building which was opened on 26th October, 1936. Designed on modern lines it affords ample accommodation for the large clientele which attends daily.
21. A gynaecological clinic is held by one of the Government Lady Medical Officers once or twice a week at each of the dispensaries.
22. Each dispensary has a room attached to it where dead bodies can he received for transport to the mortuaries preliminary to burial. Coflins are provided free.
23. On 11th March, 1936, a beginning was made with a public dispensary in Stanley Village replacing and continuing a privately operated dispensary under the auspices of St. Stephen's College. This is additional to the nie dispensaries referred to in paragraph 18. The premises are part of a temple building. No collections have so far been made in Stanley itself, and expenses are defrayed from the Aberdeen Dispensary funds.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.