REPORT ON HONGKONG MEDICAL ACTIVITIES AND PROBLEMS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN HEALTH, WITH A NOTE ON TRAINING COLLEGES AND RESEARCH.
INTRODUCTION.
My visit to Hong Kong lasted from the 20th November to the 16th December, 1945, which is a short enough period in which to obtain the necessary background. However, my tour of British F.E. territories had to be a relatively quick one and more time could not be spent in the Colony.
Official re-entry to Hong Kong was on the 16th September, 1945 but the Royal Navy came back on the 30th of August. There was a time lag which had significant consequences. For example, it was during this interval that most of the looting of buildings took place and, where it has been impossible to re-occupy buildings, this looting is still going on. During the time lag the "Stanley" Covernment carried on and, by all accounts, did admirable work; this in spite of exhaustion and debility from their privations.
Over on the mainland Coast line there are bare and denuded hills, the "Nine Dragons" guarding the entrance to Southern China. The bareness results from the felling of the grown trees and the bush for firewood. It has altered the landscape considerably and may have some effect on the precipitation of rain and soil erosion.
To quote a recent Press article: "What happened at the recent rebirth of Hong Kong is a repetition of its first beginning (1841). The Navy came first, then the Army appeared, and the Civil Administration, while the business men were all around impatient to get on with their work." The article goes on : Three things have always determined the prosperity and progress of Hong Kong; good internal government, maintenance of trade and under- standing with China." These considerations I have endeavoured to keep in mind in framing any recommendations. The last is of great importance and indeed, from the public health standpoint, the Province of Kwangtung is inseparable from Hong Kong.
Unfortunately in this re-entry Civil Affairs were not accompanied by their medical equipment and full staffs; the Young Working Party Units, planned for this emergency, were held up somewhere and are not expected to reach Hong Kong for some months yet. This has meant that the D.D.M.S., Civil Affairs has had largely to depend on the generosity of the Services for medical supplies. Fortunately much hospital equipment and furniture remain, although in bad condition through neglect, and the non- arrival of material with Civil Affairs has not constituted the handicap it might have been had they been faced with widespread destruction.
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