X1000306-1972-73_Part01 — Page 5

Parographs

IV. WORK OF THE MEDICAL DIVISION—Contd.

Ear, Nose and Throat Service

Pharmaceutical Service

Medical Social Work.

169

Physiotherapy

+

Occupational Therapy

Prosthetic-Orthotic Service

Medical Examination Board

Hospital Maintenance and Supply Auxiliary Medical Service. Registration of Medical Clinics

V. GOVERNMENT-ASSISTED HOSPITALS

VI. TRAINING PROGRAMME

Doctors

Dental Stati

Nursing Staff

Radiographers

Laboratory Technicians

School of Physiotherapy

Other Forms of Departmental Training

VII. DEVELOPMENT

Forward Planning

Completed Projects

Projects under Construction

VIII. MAPS

IX. STATISTICAL APPENDIX

170

172

ब

[7]

176

177 - 179

H

180 183

184

186

187

•

188

M

192

193 198

199 - 200

201

226

TP

227 - 229

230

232

233

235

236 - 242

243

-

244

245

246

247 - 255

256

Statistical information in this report refers to the calendar year 1972.

i'v

I. INTRODUCTION

A CHANGE has been brought into this Report. The main review adheres to traditional presentation, but this Introduction has been revised, as well as lengthened, so as to highlight some of the significant events and developments which occurred in 1972-73.

General

2. It is gratifying to note from the vital statistics that the health of the population remained good during the year. The general picture is favourable, and reflects the rapid improvement of medical and health services for a young and expanding population. An interesting develop- ment relates to the crude birth rate. At 19.4, this was slightly above the rate for 1971, and appears to have reversed a continuous down- ward trend since 1960. What this portends for the future remains to be seen, but the reversal comes in a year when the Department is preparing to assume a more direct role in family planning, making the timing most opportune.

3. There was no outbreak of cholera in 1972, but on three occasions, routine examination of nightsoil samples on Hong Kong Island re- vealed the presence of cholera vibrio. The public were informed of the findings, and advised to observe strictly the rules of personal and food hygiene. In the event, the record of freedom from cholera in Hong Kong since the last notification in 1969 remains unbroken.

4. Tuberculosis continued to be the major cause of death among the communicable diseases. Although virtually eradicated among the young as a result of vaccination with B.C.G. of the new-born, the disease took a significant toll among the unprotected adult population, with mortality increasing from 30.9 in 1971 to 32.2 this year. The Chest Service reports continuing progress on Hong Kong's collaboration with the Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom as to the ways by which treatment of tuberculosis could be made more efficient, cheaper, and shorter. Many of the results of the numerous current investigations are in fact already being applied in practice. What is significant about this joint endeavour is that although the studies are