XN000022-1978-04-12 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1978

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HE SAID THE MERE ADDITION OF MORE CLINICS WILL NOT RESULT IN A DECREASE IN THE DEMAND BUT MAY EVEN INCERASE

IT.

HOWEVER, WITH THE INCREASE IN POPULATION THERE IS NEED FOR MORE INPUT INTO THE SERVICE, AND IT IS IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS NEED THAT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS PRESENTED TO THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BOTH LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM PLANS TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE, DR. THONG SAID.

THE SHORT-TERM MEASURE WHICH IS CONSIDERED MOST PRACTICAL AND EFFICIENT TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM IS THE PROVISION OF MORE CLINIC SESSIONS USING THE SAME CLINIC FACILITIES OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS, HE SAID.

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HE POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT, A TOTAL OF 52 SUCH CLINIC SESSIONS PER WEEK - 31 IN THE EVENINGS AND 217 ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ARE IN OPERATION, WHICH CATERED FOR MORE THAN HALF A MILLION ATTENDANCES LAST YEAR.

THE LONG-TERM MEASURES INCLUDE THE REPROVISIONING OF OLD CLINICS AND THE BUILDING OF NEW CLINICS, DR. THONG SAID.

+THESE ARE PLANNED FOR AREAS OF ANTICIPATED NEED SUCH AS CENTRES OF POPULATION IN KOWLOON EAST, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, KOWLOON WEST AND SAI KUNG, HE SAID.

IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, MORE THAN 10 NEW CLINICS AND POLYCLINICS WILL BE IN OPERATION IN THESE AREAS, PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL 97 CONSULTATION ROOMS FOR THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.

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