CO129-595-9 The British Military Administration of Hong Kong- report- 1946 11-7-1946 - 2-9-1946 — Page 110

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wing of the old G.C.H. Hospital has been adapted for use as an Isolation Hospital and a sufficiency of beds has been provided. Up to date the only call made upon these beds has been for the treatment of diptheria cases, of which about 5 cases and a number of Orriers have been admitted for treatment. On the Kowloon side some of the lower

blocks of buildings of the Lai Chi Kok Hospital have been reconditioned for use as an Infectious Diseases Hospital. It is a matter of great good fortune that no serious outbreak of contagious disease has yet occurred in the Colony.

MEDICAL POSTS. In the absence of the usual facilities for private medical practice the Medical Branch maintain a series of 3 Medical Posts at which Civil Affairs Per- sonnel, Essential Service Workers and the wives and families of Volunteers receive medical aid. These posts, which have filled a very real need, are absorbing the whole time of 5 capable medical officers and a staff of nurses and dispensers.

DENTAL SERVICE. Essential dental service for a clientele similar to that served by the Medical Posts has been provided by two clinics, both of which are working at full pressure all the time.

OUT PATIENT DISPENSARIES AND HEALTH CENTRES. The weekly graph of out-patient atten- dance has shown a steady increase from the time of the re-occupation up to the present date. The total daily attendance at the various centres now numbers considerably over 1,000 patients, of whom over 350 are seen in the Queen's Road Dispensary, about the same number in the Kowloon Hospital, and the remainder in the other clinics.

MATERNAL AND CHILD WELFARE. Centres for this work have been re-established in four places. Supplementary milk feedings have been arranged for when needed and plans have been completed for the wholesale distribution of a dish of nourishing congee with high vitamin and calcium content to expectant and nursing mothers.

RURAL DISPENSARIES. Most villagers and fisherfolk are heavily infected with malaria. Naval, Army and R.A.F. medical personnel have been doing magnificent work in out- lying places, both as regards medical treatment and anti-malarial work. Tha nks to the Commandos, medical facilities are better at Taipo and Fanling than ever before. Two Government Dispensaries have been re-opened and suitable premises have been acq,,ired in other villages, where dispensaries will be opened shortly.

A NUTRITION SURVEY has been commenced in a representative cross section of the population. This is being carried out by a staff of three doctors and two whole time health visitors in cooperation with the Government Biochemist.

ASSISTANCE TO NON-GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS. Assistance has been rendered with very satisfactory results to the Nethersole and French Hospitals. Without depriving the Hospitals of their individuality the Administration has assumed financial support of their work. The Nethersole has functioned at full capacity from the date of re- occupation, and has done excellent work. In the case of the French Hospital a scheme has just been put into operation whereby the provision of 80 charity beds is being financed by the Administration and a resident doctor is being provided.

MISCELLANEOUS CALLS FOR SERVICE. These have been answered as far as possible. phanages and other charitable institutions have been visited from time to time and medical advice given. Where needed, medicines and other supplies have been sent. A whole time medical officer and nurse have been sent to Rosary Hill, where the possibility of an outbreak of diphtheria was recently averted by rapid and efficient preventive measures. Requests for the provision of medicines and advice on the part of various firms and organisations have been met as far as possible with the limited supplies available.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE there are certain objectives, some close at hand and others in førther perspective, that must be held constantly in view:

Or-

Of early and paramount importance is the arrival of our own supplies of drugs and equipment. The work of these early months has been greatly handicapped by the absence of adequate supplies of items such as me pacrine, sulfadiazine, penicillin,

The Services have gener- smallpox vaccine, sera, antitoxins and other preparations. ously come to our aid as far as possible, but it is high time that the Civil Admini- stration should be able to depend entirely upon its own resources.

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