Estimates-1956 — Page 30

25

Of these posts, 2 Telephone Operators were approved during the year. The remaining 176 posts include 31 for the Maternal and Child Health Scheme and 18 for the B.C.G. Vaccination Campaign, formerly provided for under Special Expenditure subheads. These U.N.I.C.E.F.- sponsored schemes now become a Government responsibility in accordance with undertakings given to U.N.I.C.E.F. 26 extra posts are required for the Mental Hospital and Custodial Home. The remaining 101 additional posts, offset by the 11 posts deleted, are required in order to improve the service in various hospitals, clinics, dispensaries etc. the volume of work having increased in all directions. A review of the storekeeping arrangements of the Department was undertaken during the year as a result of which it is considered necessary to reorganize the Stewards' section, involving additional posts of 2 Hospital Secretaries and 5 Assistant Hospital Secretaries.

A reorganization of the Specialist grade has been effected whereby the following posts are now classified as "Specialist" posts:-

89.

Medical Specialist

Surgical Specialist

Gynaecological and Obstetrical Specialist

Ophthalmic Specialist

Psychiatric Specialist

Radiological Specialist

Tuberculosis Specialist

Social Hygiene Specialist

Anaesthetic Specialist

Dental Specialist

Government Pathologist

The posts of Malariologist and Chief Port Health Officer have been removed from the Specialist grade and are now shown separately in the Estimates. Other regradings include 8 posts of Male Mental Nurse in place of 8 Dressers, 1 Assistant Chemist in place of a Laboratory Assistant, 1 Pharmacist in place of a Dispenser, and 4 Chief Dressers in place of 4 Dressers. These changes reflect the increased responsibilities undertaken by the officers concerned.

90.

The changes in establishment, together with normal increments and salaries revision, account for the increase of $2,565,522 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.

91.

Under Other Charges, the principal increases include $50,000 for anti-malaria field work; $100,000 for fuel, light and power, arising from the opening of the new Tsan Yuk Hospital, new clinics and extension of hours at night clinics; $86,800 for House Officers due to the increas- ing number of medical graduates for whom the necessary training has to be provided; $152,900 for pupil midwives due to increased numbers and salaries revision; $37,520 for rent of premises, arising from an increase in rented office accommodation and storage space; $57,060 for dental scholarships, as approved during the year; $80,000 for travelling expenses, due to increased activities and the fact that current expenditure has been underestimated; and $25,000 for wash- ing, arising from the opening of the new Tsan Yuk Hospital and additional clinics. A few reductions are shown in respect of subheads previously overestimated, the net increase under Other Charges being $505,640.

92.

Special Expenditure items totalling $290,790 include revotes of $96,360 and replacements for existing equipment, $88,950. New items include $14,500 for an additional station wagon for the new Custodial Home, $36,000 for additional radium supplies and $1,540 for indexing equipment. The provision of $53,440 for the Maternal and Child Health Scheme is for the period 1st April to 31st August, 1955, after which date U.N.I.C.E.F. participation in the scheme ceases and its continuation will be the responsibility of Government. Provision for the necessary posts and associated expenditure is made under Personal Emoluments and Other Charges subheads.

Page 30Page 31