X1000307-1953-54_Part01 — Page 26

Bacteriological Examinations.

143. Details of bacteriological investigations carried out by the Pathological Institute on behalf of the Tuberculosis Service are as follows:

145. Details of admissions to Government hospitals are as follows:

General Public

Government Survants

Government Servants dependants Re-admissions

Total:

224

179

50

56

SUB

Material exporsjoner. d.

Positive

Negative

Tatui

Sputum

Castric Cooloute..........

Fleural Brud

Kaha Test

Hospital Treatment.

4,271

11,630

15,901

13

149

162

LO

17

27

144. The number of hospital beds available in the Colony for the treatment of tuberculosis is completely inadequate. In Government hospitals just over 300 beds are available. Io the Ruttonjee Sanatorium 220 beds. An additional 259 tuberculosis beds are available in the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals which are used mostly for advanced cases. In view of this it is necessary to make the best possible use of each available bed. Admissions for investigations of lung conditions or for treat- ment of proved pulmonary tuberculosis are made through the Almuner's Section of the tuberculosis clinics, with the exception of priority cases which, in the case of Government hospitals, is made up of Government employees and their dependants and, in the case of the Ruttonjee Sanatorium, of nominees of subscribers to the Anti-Tuberculosis Association. Long term admissions are strictly confined to patients in whom there is good hope of complete ultimate recovery, By these means the period of hospitalization is kept to the minimum and the bed turnover is as high as possible.

器

38

Buttonjee Sanatorium,

146. This institution, the accommodation of which was expanded during the year to 230 beds, is owned and operated by the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association. This Associa- tion in financed from voluntary sources but during the year under review it received, in addition, a subvention from Govern- ment amounting to $350,000.

147. The policy of the Association is only to admit to its Sanatorium cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and those admitted are, in general, selected from the waiting list maintained by the Government Tuberculosis Service. However, priority of ad- mission is given to patients nominated by the principal sub- scribers to the Association. After admission the Association is responsible for all treatment and after-care of these patients, except that the Almoner's Section of the Government Tuber- culosia Service undertakes social work in connexion with these cases and, where appropriate, provides financial assistance.

Government Hospitals.

148. It has not so far been possible for Government to establish its own hospital devoted solely to the treatment of tuberculosis, but in 3 hospitals beds are specifically allocated for this purpose.

The details of these beds are as follows: Queen Mary Hospital:

(Special class and general ward accommodation

for surgical and investigation cases) Lai Chi Kok Hospital (including 10 cota) St. John Hospital, Cheung Chau

(Minimal and convalescent case only)

62

208

42

Total:

312

39