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Health Auxiliaries

201. A two-year course for health auxiliaries is scheduled to take place once a year. It provides training in health education and public health nursing, which includes maternal and child health work, training and keeping of records of infectious diseases in general, and of tuberculosis, leprosy and venereal diseases in particular.

RADIOGRAPHERS

202. Training in this sphere was continued during the year and examinations were held in the Colony for Membership of the Society of Radiographers of England for both therapy and diagnostic radio- graphers.

LABORATORY TECHNICIANS

203. The Medical and Health Department Institute of Pathology maintained its in-service training for Medical Laboratory Technicians, the Intermediate Examination of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of the United Kingdom being held in the Colony. Technicians were also sent to the United Kingdom to obtain the AIMLT qualification.

OTHER FORMS OF DEPARTMENTAL TRAINING

204. In-service courses of training were continued for dispensers, dental technicians and orthopaedic appliance technicians. These do not all lead to recognized qualifications, but prepare those concerned for appointment to permanent posts in Government service after passing a departmental examination.

VIII. DONATIONS

(Table 78)

205. The Colony's medical and health services have in the past years benefitted to a considerable degree from donations received from a number of non-government organizations and individuals, and in the year under review this continuing interest was reflected in donations totalling $564,973.85. Of this amount Sir Shiu-kin TANG, whose philanthropy is well known, contributed $500,000 towards the cost of construction of the David Trench Rehabilitation Centre at Sai Ying Pun.

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As mentioned in annual report for 1968-69, Sir Shju-kin TANG earlier contributed a similar amount of money towards the cost of the pro- posed Specialist Clinic for Hong Kong Island East. This clinic is to be named after his father, the late TANG Chi-ngong. Pending the comple- tion of the clinic, the interest from Sir Shiu-kin's donation is to be used for further training of teachers for the education of physically handicapped children and other charitable projects in the Colony.

IX. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

206. This report would be incomplete without special mention of the devotion to duty shown by each and every officer of the Medical and Health Department during the year under review. All ranks of the Department, in particular the doctors, have carried out their duties efficiently despite a serious shortage of staff. To them I would like to place on record my sincere tribute for their effective help in dealing with the many problems associated with the provision of medical care for the population of Hong Kong. The department has also received every assistance and co-operation from other Government departments. the Press, the Radio, the Television and other publicity agencies. The patience shown by members of the public in spite of the many un- avoidable shortcomings of the service is deeply appreciated.

207. I would also wish to thank the many public-spirited persons who have devoted so much of their valuable time to serving on Statutory Boards. Advisory Committees and Working Parties, and in voluntary institutions connected with the many curative and preventive medical problems in Hong Kong. Thanks are also due to the local and overseas organizations which manage and help to supplement Government's resources and to ensure that adequate facilities are available for all those in need of medical care.

208. Although Hong Kong had a visitation of cholera during the year under review, the outbreak was effectively contained. Much of the success in the application of the control measures was due to the continuing co-operation of other Government Departments and outside agencies which worked as a team with the Medical and Health Depart- ment in dealing with the many varied aspects of the anti-cholera campaign. Tribute is also paid to the staff of the Department who took part in the inoculation drive and other anti-epidemic measures. All those concerned showed their devotion to duty, and the shortness of the

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