XN000022-1978-08-20 — Page 3

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1978

MR. DAVID MAK, TECHNICAL AND PLANNING OFFICER OF THE SERVICE, NOTED THAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE INTENTION OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL FITNESS SINCE THE PROGRAMME WAS STARTED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO WITH TAI CHI CLASSES.

HE STRESSED THAT THE GOOD EFFECTS OF THE FITNESS COURSE ARE MANIFOLD. +BESIDES GIVING A SLIMMER FIGURE, THE EXERCISE, WHICH IS NEITHER VIGOROUS NOR DIFFICULT, TONES UP THE MUSCLES AND HEART, AND IMPROVES BLOOD CIRCULATION, HE SAID.

+

MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE GROWING

*****

THE MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS DURING AND AFTER ILLNESS.

THIS IS REFLECTED BY THE GROWING NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED BY THE SERVICE WHICH WAS SET UP TO HELP PATIENTS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF MEDICAL CARE AND TO OVERCOME THE IR EMOTIONAL OR PERSONAL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE ILLNESS.

IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977/78, MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS ATTENDED TO MORE THAN 400,000 CASES -- AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 16 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

MISS PEGGY CHAN, PRINCIPAL MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER IN CHARGE OF THE SERVICE SAID TODAY: +OUR SERVICE IS TO COMPLEMENT HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL CARE BY PROVIDING PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE, COUNSELLING AND SOCIAL REHABILITATION TO PATIENTS WHO ARE UNDER MEDICAL CARE IN HOSPITALS OR CLINICS OR ARE CONVALESCING AT THE IR OWN HOMES.

+IT NOW HAS A STAFF ESTABLISHMENT OF 137 PROVIDING GENERAL REGIONAL SERVICE IN THREE MAIN DIVISIONS HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN ADDITION, IT ALSO PROVIDES SPECIALISED SERVICES IN THE FIELDS OF MENTAL HEALTH, TUBERCULOSIS AND SKIN DISEASES, AND NARCOTICS.+

MISS CHAN SAID THAT AMONG THE SERVICES PROVIDED, THE GREATEST DEMAND IS FOR PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS AIDS IN CASH OR IN KIND, FINDING SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE SICK AND DISABLED CARE FOR CHILDREN WHEN MOTHER FALLS SICK, AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, ADVISING A PATIENT'S FAMILY TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES IN TRAFFIC OR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.

/3