XN000022-1978-11-05 — Page 3

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1978

AFTER FURTHER YEARS OF STUDY. THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE PROVISIONAL ADVISORY BOARD WAS APPOINTED IN 1962 TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE TO INVOLVE PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.

IN 1964 THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD WAS FORMALLY CONSTITUTED AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY.

SINCE THEN, THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR AND ENROLMENT ROSE AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF FIVE PER CENT A YEAR IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS TO MORE THAN 110,000 PUPILS FROM ABOUT 740 SCHOOLS.

MORE THAN 200 PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME WITH EACH ENROLLED PUPIL PAYING ONLY $5 A YEAR AND THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTING $30 PER PUPIL.

THE SCHEME, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ECONOMICAL MEDICAL TREATMENT TO SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM PRIMARY 1 TO FORM 3 IS TO COMPLEMENT THE EXTENSIVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

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