XN000022-1973-12-06 — Page 5

Thursday, December 6, 1973

GOVERNOR OPENS NEW HOSPITAL IN KWUN TONG

Residents of Kwun Tong and New Kowloon will receive the best

possible medical facilities at low cost with the opening of the United

Christian Hospital and the extension of further medical facilities in the

area, the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, said today.

He was speaking at the official opening of the new hospital which

he described as "a good example of what can be achieved when the government

and the community work together."

The hospital was built through the joint efforts of its board of

directors, the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, local and overseas religious

and educational organisations, and the government.

It provides 555 beds and will function as an acute general hospital

providing a full range of facilities for casualty and emergency cases,

$2 a day

The charges are the same as in government hospitals

for in-patients and $1 per visit for out-patients, thus making it possible

for government medical institutions to refer patients directly to the

United Christian Hospital for admission.

"This means that this hospital will make an immediate contribution

to the provision of low-cost medical facilities in the Kwun Tong and East

Kowloon areas, "the Governor said.

To meet the needs of the 500,000 residents in the area, Sir Murray

said, two further clinics had been planned at Lam Tin and Ngau Tau Kok. Site

formation work had already started on a polyclinic for East Kowloon in

Hammer Hill Road.

"In addition, the Rodrigues Report has recommended that of the four

new hospitals which the government should construct over the next ten years, A

1,200-bed general hospital for East Kowloon should be accorded the first

priority," he said.

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