diseases into Hong Kong by land, sea and air. It also has the task of ensuring the maximum security against the spread of quarantinable diseases with a minimum of interference with world traffic, in accord ance with the provisions laid down in the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and the International Health Regulations (1969).
89. Sanitary control of the port and airport was maintained as usual. Vaccinations and the issuing of international vaccination cer- tificates were carried out for travellers at three vaccination centres. A 24-hour daily quarantine service was maintained at the western entrance to the harbour. Medical assistance and medical advice were given on request to ships in the barbour and at sea. The granting of radio pratique to ships from non-infected ports steadily increased in 1972,
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
90. Nearly all births during the year took place in institutions- either hospitals or maternity homes. Delivery in hospitals gradually increased, as all cases were carefully screened, and high-risk cases were referred to specialist units for further management. Only 19.25 per cent of the births were attended by government midwives, and midwives in private practice attended another 11.86 per cent, com- pared with 18.5 per cent and 15.5 per cent respectively in 1971. The remainder of the births took place in government, government- subsidized and private hospitals.
91. The South Kwai Chung Polyclinic with 26 maternity beds began to receive patients on 25th October, 1972. On the other hand, six private maternity homes were voluntarily closed, with a reduction of 30 beds. In recent years, there has been a steady reduction in the still-birth rates in both government and private maternity homes.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES
92. Public appreciation of the value of these services in the main- tenance of health among infants and expectant or nursing mothers was again refleccled by the fact that, of the children born, 91.9 per cent were brought to a centre for attention on at least one occasion. The corresponding figure for 1971 was 89.6 per cent. Of new attendants at the various centres, approximately 1 per cent were found to have abnormalities. Of these, the majority had either congenital defects or displayed effects of prematurity.
26
93. A further encouraging trend was the increasing appreciation by expectant mothers of the need for regular ante-natal care. This was reflected by the average attendances per person at ante-natal sessions and by the low maternal mortality rate.
94. In October 1972, the South Kwai Chung Maternal and Child Health Centre was opened. In is a full-time centre. This development brought the total number of full-time maternal and child health centres throughout the Colony to 20.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
95. The Medical and Health Department provides an advisory service to the Education Department on matters relating to environ- mental health and hygiene in schools, and this was continued in 1972. Inspections of schools were carried out by school health inspectors who took particular note of unsatisfactory lighting, ventilation and sanitary arrangements, Immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and smallpox was carried out in schools during the year by staff under the direction of area health officers. The government chest service maintained re- sponsibility for tuberculin testing and B.C.G. vaccination in schools.
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD
96. The School Medical Service is operated by private medical practitioners under the aegis of the School Medical Service Board, an independent statutory body incorporated by ordinance, Remuneration to doctors is on a per capita basis, one-fifth of the annual fee being paid by the participating pupil and four-fifths contributed by the Government, which also meets the Board's administrative expenses.
97. On 31st March, 1973, the number of pupils participating was 70,758 from 700 schools, compared with 37,181 from 661 schools on the same date in the previous year. Doctors participating in the scheme numbered 181 compared with 174.
DENTAL SERVICE
98. The dental service provides comprehensive dental care for all monthly-paid government officers, their dependents, and pensioners, in addition to a limited treatment programme for in-patients of govern- meni hospitals, prisoners, and trainees at training centres. Certain clinics in densely-populated urban areas and in rural areas also provide emergency dental treatment for the general public. In addition,
37
A
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.