X1000307-1957-58_Part01 — Page 6

Statistical information in this report

refers to the calendar year 1957

I. THE COLONY'S HEALTH SERVICE

INTRODUCTION

IN presenting this Report on the Health of Hong Kong a brief outline of the social background is essential to an understanding of the disease problems and the organizations available to deal with them. Essentially a major seaport and thus a centre of communication, Hong Kong, with one of the densest urban populations in the world, may be considered to be extremely vulnerable to the introduction of disease. A lengthy coastline and a relatively well developed medical service invite an influx of the sick from the mainland of China. Thus, in addition to its own intrinsic health problems, the Colony is faced with an annual immigration of unknown proportions, much of which is stimulated by a desire to seek treatment in the clinics and hospitals.

2. The whole Colony, including the New Territories, covers a land area of 391 square miles of which 36 square miles is the urban area of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Kowloon. At the end of 1957 the total civilian population was estimated to be 2,677,000. Of this total eighty three per cent was living in the urban areas, and thirteen per cent of this urban population was estimated to be squatters of roof-top dwellers. Five per cent of the total population is literally a floating one and represents the permanent junk and sampan dwellers.

3. Hong Kong Island is primarily a commercial and residential area, with a population estimated at over a million, the majority of whom are concentrated in the beavily built up area along the north shore of the Island, Included in the urban area are the fishing communities of Aberdeen and Shau Kei Wan. The great majority however live in crowded tenements. It is a city of densely packed shops, food premises, Jaundries, tailors and other craftsmen working in small units with an industry and pertinacity that could be well emulated in other large cities of the world. The majority of those so engaged maintain a closely knit family life with standards of decency and morality far in advance of what might be expected in the grossly overcrowded condi- tions dictated by the scarcity of building land and the phenomenal influx of refugees which has taken place during the last twelve years.

1