are also accepted. The attendance of third class patients for ante-natal care is disappointing, largely owing to ignorance of the value of such care before birth, but also because the over- crowded state of the clinics tends to discourage attendance. This lack of ante-natal care is reflected in the maternal mortality figures.
91. All deaths in child birth encountered during the year in the Government obstetric service were emergency admissions that had received no ante-natal care and in addition 90% of the cases of eclampsia occurred among those who had neglected ante-natal supervision. It cannot be stressed too much that regular ante-natal care can lead to the relief of much minor suffering and to the prevention of serious complications. It must also be emphasized that post-natal care is also extremely desirable and can prevent much chronic ill health, which even- tually requires gynaecological treatment. The attendance at the post-natal clinics also is not yet satisfactory.
92. During the year the Army established their own maternity services. This gave considerable relief to the Government obstetrical service, which has hitherto served the armed forces in addition to the civilian population.
Radiological Sub-Department.
93. The Radiological Sub-department comprises the follow- ing sections:
1. Radiodiagnostic.
2.
Radiotherapeutic.
3.
Physics.
4.
The Workshop.
Radiodiagnostic Section.
94. The total volume of diagnostic work handled by this section has again shown an increase. It dealt with 251,198 investigations in 1955 as compared with 233,563 in 1954. Part of the increase is due to the opening of the new Tsan Yuk Hospital in June 1955. In addition to the routine diagnostic
30
work this section trains its own student radiographers for the Society of Radiographers' examinations and Medical Officers in radiology. Within the year 3 student radiographers passed the qualifying examination for Membership of the Society of Radio- graphers.
95. At the Queen Mary Hospital research is being done on the "Radiology of the Biliary Tree" with the full co-operation of the Government Surgical Unit.
96. At the new Tsan Yuk Hospital research on the "Morphology of the Chinese Female Pelvis" is being conducted in conjunction with the Hong Kong University Obstetrical Department.
Radiotherapeutic Section.
97. This section treated 306 cases in 1955 as compared with 295 in 1954, but saw considerably more follow-up cases. Research in conjunction with the Government Surgical Unit and the University Department of Pathology is being done on the most prevalent cancer in this part of the world, nasopharyngen) carcinoma,
Physics Section.
98. The work of this section increased pari passu with the increase in activities of the Radiodiagnostic and Radio- therapeutic Sections, especially the latter. It consists of the following:-
1.-
2.
4.
Carrying out routine measures for the protection of radiological staff against radiation hazards. Checking and calibration of radiological machines, Assisting the radiotherapists in the planning of radiation treatment of their patients.
Lecturing to the student radiographers on radio- logical physics. Part of this work is at present undertaken by the University Physics Department pending the appointment of a hospital physicist.
31
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.