Police-1967-1968 — Page 53

196. Regular visits were paid to police officers in hospital by Welfare Office staff and assistance was given to patients and families when necessary. Books and magazines were regularly distributed to patients, the cost being met from the Police Force Welfare Fund.

197. As a result of the disturbances an unusually high number of police officers were admitted to hospital during 1967 because of injuries sustained by them. The Welfare Section assisted with the rehabilitation of such patients and in the supply of suitable surgical aids and appliances.

HEALTH

Man Hours Lost

198. The number of working days lost during the year on account of sickness was 34,269. Sick leave for Officers amounted to 2,469 days and for other ranks to 31,800. Tuberculosis accounted for 3,538 man- days lost as against the previous year's figure of 4,798.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

199. Twenty six sessions on maternal and child health for police wives were held by the Medical and Health Department staff at Arsenal Street Police Rank and File Married Quarters, and a total of 1,321 cases were dealt with. Police families in Kowloon attended the Cheung Sha Wan Maternal & Child Health Centre.

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES

200. A Rank and File Consumers' Co-operative Society was opened in March 1968 at the Wong Tai Sin Rank and File Married Quarters. This raised the total of Co-operative Societies to six. All Societies had a successful year although the rate of progress of the Kennedy Town Society, which was opened in December, 1966, was much slower than expected. The gross turnover of the five older societies amounted to $1,736,000. Thanks are due to the staff of the Co-operative Division of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department for their assistance and advice especially with regard to the establishment of the new Co- operative Society at Wong Tai Sin.

WELFARE COMMITTEE

201. Staff Sergeants' Monthly Welfare meetings were held regularly throughout the year and matters raised at these meetings were dealt

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