XN000022-1992-03-27 — Page 16

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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992

WAYS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR HK

A GOOD PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM GOES A LONG WAY TO ENHANCING THE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE POPULATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IS PREVENTIVE, PROMOTIVE AND THUS PARTICIPATORY CARE.

"IN MANY WAYS, IT IS ALSO MORE EFFECTIVE," MRS WONG SAID, "IT AYS A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE SECONDARY AND TERTIARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

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MRS WONG WAS SPEAKING ON WAYS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR HONG KONG AT THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY LUNCHEON.

SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE REPORT BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WHICH PROVIDED A CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE FOR FORMULATING A LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE STRATEGY FOR THE COMING DECADE.

"WE HAVE GENERALLY ADOPTED THE 102 RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT AND ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTATION IN PHASES, SHE ADDED.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED A HEALTH AND MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE DIFFERENT INTERESTS INVOLVED TO GET TOGETHER AND TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH CARE AND THE INTERFACE BETWEEN HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES.

AS THE

PROVISION OF BETTER SERVICES AT THE HOSPITAL AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE LEVELS REQUIRES A CORPS OF DOCTORS WITH ADVANCED TRAINING IN THE VARIOUS MEDICAL SPECIALTIES, AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE FOR POSTGRADUATE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION WOULD BE SET UP ΤΟ PRODUCE SUCH SPECIALISTS.

ON NEW REFORMS, MRS WONG SAID A STUDY GROUP HAD LOOKED AT OPTIONS FOR HEALTH FINANCING, INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, IN HONG KONG WHILE ANOTHER GROUP WAS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS ON FEES AND WAIVER TO WORK OUT A LONG-TERM STRATEGY.

PROPOSALS ON THESE ISSUES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A GREEN PAPER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN A FEW MONTHS' TIME.

FORMALLY

TURNING TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON DECEMBER 1, 1990, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD DESIGNATED EIGHT "CANDIDATE" HOSPITALS WHERE MANAGEMENT REFORMS

BE INTRODUCED.

.

WOULD

MAJOR

NINE CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE WILL ALSO BE SET UP IN HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE ADVANCED TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS, TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES FOR HIGHER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH, AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE THE STATUS OF INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS

AND THEIR STAFF.

/IN ADDITION,