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UNICEF Assistance

430. The milk feeding programme, which is sponsored by UNICEF. continued throughout the year. Altogether 70,956 lbs. of UNICEF milk were distributed to welfare organizations throughout the Colony and the total number of supplementary meals given at feeding centres was 1,376,653, an increase of 176,634 over the previous year.

AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE

431. Recruitment to the Auxiliary Medical Service was started in October, 1950, under the provisions of the Essential Services Corps Ordinance, 1950. The primary aim of the Service is to train and main- tain a corps of men and women who are available to greatly augment the Colony's hospital and ambulance services during an emergency. During recent years, however, increasing use has been made of members of the Service to support Departmental staff during outbreaks of infectious diseases and during mass inoculation campaigns.

432. Up to June, 1961, those joining the Auxiliary Medical Service were both volunteer and conscripted members. On the abolition of conscription in that month, conscripted members had the opportunity either to become volunteers or to resign. The loss of conscripted mem- bers has been more than balanced by the volunteers recruited and the strength of the Service at 31st March, 1963, stood at over 4,800 men and

WOHNEN,

433. The Medical Defence Staff Officer is responsible for all routine administration and training activities, and the Director of Medical and Health Services is the Unit Controller. During a total Colony emergency. the ambulance and first-aid sections of the Service come under the operational control of the Civil Aid Services.

434. There are now 41 Ambulance Depot Teams spread over 24 districts of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. Training has progressed favourably throughout the year, and keen competitions for the MacKenzie' shield, the 'Teng' cup and the 'Small' cup were of considerable value in improving the all-round efficiency of the Teams. 435. Demonstrations were given, during the Kai-fong Welfare Associations' "Traffic Safety Weck' and during their Health Education Exhibition. These demonstrations consisted of First Aid, both when medical equipment is available on the spot and when improvisation bas to be undertaken.

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436. Co-operation with the Civil Aid Services continued to be of a bigh standard, and during the year combined Civil Defence Exercises were staged in Hong Kong and Kowloon. The use of wound-faking and acting techniques have contributed considerably to a marked degree of realism during these exercises and also in the various competitions.

437. Twenty-two Auxiliary Dressers from the Ambulance Teams are on duty every Sunday with the Fire Services, and are gaining valuable practical experience in the use of equipment and in the routine work of the Fire Services Ambulance section.

438. The blood-grouping of all members of the Auxiliary Defence Units was carried out during the year, and all members of the Auxiliary Medical Service are now blood-grouped as soon as they are enrolled.

439. During the cholera outbreak in 1962, members of the Auxiliary Medical Service were employed on duties in the quarantine station and at inoculation centres. They were also employed on rescue and first-aid work in the maintenance of hostels for those rendered homeless when typhoon Wanda struck the Colony on 1st September, 1962. Auxiliary Medical Service men and women were employed as inoculators and recorders throughout the two phases of the anti-poliomyelitis immuniza tion campaign held in January and March, 1963.

440. In March, 1963, the uniformed members of the Auxiliary Medical Service paraded for the first time as a body. The Parade was inspected by the Unit Controller after which he took the salute at the March Past. The success of this occasion was a tribute to the enthusiasm and keenness of the members of this branch of the Auxiliary Defence Services.

V. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

PLANNING UNIT

441. The functions of this unit, which was staffed during the year by

a Principal Medical and Health Officer and an Hospital Secretary, are: (a) to prepare outline plans for the development of medical and health facilities in Hong Kong. in consultation with other branches of the medical services concerned;

(b) to undertake, in close liaison with the Public Works Department, the detailed planning of projects approved by the Finance Com- mittee of the Legislative Council; and

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