X1000306-1986-87_Part01 — Page 4

FOREWORD

1987 marks a point in the passage of time which for me has been at times cala and placid and others stirring and exciting but always challenging and certainly satisfying.

A decade and a year have slipped by a period which represented some of the most eventful years in the history of Hong Kong and ita Medical & Health Department. I count myself most fortunate and privileged to hold office as Director of Medical & Health Services during this period. At this poiat in time, therefore, it is also opportune for me to look back on those years and to review the main events in the course of my work in the Medical & Health Department.

My basic remit as Director of Medical & Health Services stems from the Government's policy in the provision of medical and health services for the people of Hong Kong and to safeguard and promote the health of the community as a whole through the provision of adequate health and medical facilities. In so doing, it has been ny sim from the beginning to provide medical and health services for the community in such a way as to strike an appropriate balance among the promotive and preventive, curative and rehabilitation services within the resources available especially for that section of the community which relies heavily on aubsidised medical services.

Decisions on priorities for such services are always difficult to make and often attract comments, favourable or otherwise, from various quarters including armchair critics. The end results, however, are the best proof that good judgment and sound decisions have prevalled.

Without being unduly complacent, we have now a medical and health system, delivering services which are effective, accessible and, above all, at only nominal cost to a large proportion of the general public who need such services, We can justifiably take pride in our provision of a primary health care system which has met the requirements as advocated by the World Health Organisation to the letter.

On the other hand, Hong Kong is an affluent society which is relatively advanced and sophisticated in many areas. Hence, the provision of health care is not confined to just meeting the basic needs alone but whenever and wherever opportunities present themselves and resources are available we have introduced sophisticated systems and services together with advanced technology and equipment into the services in selected areas in accordance with world trends, This is especially so with services which support the primary health care. These include, inter alia, the introduction of the Community Nursing Service, Comprehensive Observation Scheme, the Child Assessment Service, the Cytogenetic Screening Service, the Genetic Counselling Service, the Geriatric Service, the Central Health Education Unit and the School Children Dental Service. Understandably, the list cannot be exhaustive but it is important to point out that such development had been carefully balanced, bearing in mind the benefits that were to be gained, which should preferably be on the longer term and should be for the many rather than for the few.