MEDICAL SERVICES
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3.3 There are four hospital regions in Hong Kong, each of which is served by a regional hospital, one or more district hospitals and a number of general and specialist clinics. There are 4.2 hospital beds available per 1,000 population, and 5 consulting rooms in clinics per 100,000 of the population. Health charges are minimal: HK$3 per visit to an out-patient clinic and HK$5 per day in hospitals. These charges are waived for children and other special categories, and in cases of hardship.
3.4 There is a comprehensive public health programme to combat tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, malaria and other controllable diseases. Infant mortality, at 9.7 per 1,000 live births in 1981, is lower than in many developed countries, and life expectancy is one of the highest in the world. The birth rate, at 1.69 in 1981, means that the natural rate of increase of the population is just over 18.
HOUSING
3.5
Hong Kong's housing problem stems from the fact that the
population has increased 8 times since 1945. What is more, there is an acute shortage of land suitable for development. The Hong Kong Government first started building public housing in 1954: its aim now is to ensure that every family has a permanent, self-contained home at a rent or price it can afford. At present over 40% of the population live in public housing, and the Housing Authority constructs about 37,000 flats a year. (Another 27 30,000 units a year are being constructed by the private sector). At the same time, there is a steady improvement in spatial standards and amenities, such as shopping and recreational centres. However, demand continues to exceed supply, and there are some 880,000 people living in squatter
areas.
/SOCIAL
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