Page 33 of 115
50
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MOTIONS.
DR. P. F. Woo moved the following resolution :--
"That in view of the forthcoming appointment of a senior health inspector for health education, a select committee be appointed to advise on the drawing up and carrying out of programmes of health education.”
He said:
The purpose of health education is clear to all of us. In its simplest form it is to better the health of all people by utilizing scientific knowledge which has the potential power of preventing disease and ensuring health. To achieve that purpose, this knowledge must be interpreted and delivered in a palatable form to those who do not have it.
Health education therefore comprises a variety of activities such as instructing, training, advertising, soliciting and habit forming. All of these activities have to be planned and organized so as to suit the wealthy as well as the poor. Consideration must be given to the community's standard of education, home circumstances, and customs. Educational plans must therefore be based on the nature of the people who are to be educated, and the right persons must be found to do the educating. Special attention must be paid to the native customs, practices and habits of the people. The community cannot be expected to forsake the customs of its forefathers immediately. Health education should therefore be given in a way that will not give rise to opposition. On the other hand, this will require patient teaching over many years.
At present, the Urban Services Department attempts to prevent insanitary and unhygienic practices by enforcing Urban Council laws. But the sanitary inspector cannot see to it that every individual washes his hands before touching his food or refrains from scattering germs about, nor can he constantly watch the sterilization of all the eating utensils in restaurants or other eating establishments. A person who breaks the law against spitting in streets is required to pay a fine, but he is not made to realise how spitting can spread disease. The regrettable fact is that we do those things which we know we ought not to do.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
51
It is not sufficient to tell the community what kind of food is nutritious; they must be told, especially among those who are poor, how to make use of every dollar they have to purchase the right kind of food.
The formation of healthy habits and the practice of leading a healthy way of living are the primary aims of health education. These habits and ways of living should fit the conditions of people, and therefore vary from place to place and from country to country. Health measures which are too rigid are not always the most valid and effective. For example, some people consider that a daily bath is not a strict necessity for good health, but this practice is certainly advisable for inhabitants of Hong Kong. The one and only way of learning how to live healthily is by continual practice and experience.
Health education should not be confined to the work of the Urban Services Department. It is highly desirable that the aims and work of any public health service be explained and taught in schools, and where possible demonstrated to school children. The school curriculum should therefore include lessons from which children can learn the value of fresh air and sunlight, the importance of cleanliness, the necessity of wholesome food, and so on. They should also be taught how to take care of their eyes, ears and teeth, and how to do the right kind of physical exercise to help their growth. By teaching the children of school age how to form healthy habits and lead a healthy way of living, we can make them appreciate the important function of public health as they grow up.
The results of health education cannot be achieved in a few weeks or months, but in years, and careful planning is required in order to have the success we want. The health and education of the people are today regarded as among the chief functions of the government. I move therefore that in view of the forthcoming appointment of a senior health inspector for health education, a select committee be appointed to advise on the drawing up and carrying out of programmes of health education.
MR. LI YU BOR seconded.
He said: The merits of health education are so obvious that it will not be necessary for me to dwell on them at any length. In view of the forthcoming appointment of an officer
Page 33 of 115
Page 33 of 115
50
us.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MOTIONS.
DR. P. F. Woo moved the following resolution :--
"That in view of the forthcoming appointment of a senior health inspector for health education, a select com- mittee be appointed to advise on the drawing up and carrying out of programmes of health education.”
He said:
The purpose of health education is clear to all of In its simplest form it is to better the health of all people by utilizing scientific knowledge which has the potential power of preventing disease and ensuring health. To achieve that purpose, this knowledge must be interpreted and delivered in a palatable form to those who do not have it.
Health education therefore comprises of a variety of activities such as instructing, training, advertising, soliciting and habit forming. All of these activities have to be planned and organized so as to suit the wealthy as well as the poor. Consideration must be given to the community's standard of education, home cir- cumstances, and customs. Educational plans must therefore be based on the nature of the people who are to be educated, and the right persons must be found to do the educating. Special atten- tion must be paid to the native customs, practices and habits of the people. The community cannot be expected to forsake the customs of its forefathers immediately. Health education should therefore be given in a way that will not give rise to opposition, On the and this will require patient teaching over many years. other hand, there are many insanitary habits among the people which are due simply to ignorance and laziness. These can be dealt with more directly, and quicker results may therefore be expected.
At present, the Urban Services Department attempts to prevent insanitary and unhygienic practices by enforcing Urban Council laws. But the sanitary inspector cannot see to it that every individual washes his hands before touching his food or refrains from scattering germs about, nor can he constantly watch the sterilization of all the eating utensils in restaurants or other eating establishments. A person who breaks the law against spitting in streets is required to pay a fine, but he is not made to realise how spitting can spread disease. The regrettable fact is that we do those things which we know we ought not to do.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
51
It is not sufficient to tell the community what kind of food is nutritious; they must be told, especially among those who are poor, how to make use of every dollar they have to purchase the right kind of food.
The formation of healthy habits and the practice of leading a healthy way of living are the primary aims of health education. These habits and ways of living should fit the conditions of people, and therefore vary from place to place and from country to country. Health measures which are too rigid are not always the most valid and effective. For example, some people consider that a daily bath is not a strict necessity for good health, but this practice is certainly advisable for inhabitants of Hong Kong. The one and only way of learning how to live healthily is by continual practice and experience.
Health education should not be confined to the work of the Urban Services Department. It is highly desirable that the aims and work of any public health service be explained and taught in schools, and where possible demonstrated to school children. The school curriculum should therefore include lessons from which children can learn the value of fresh air and sunlight, the importance of cleanliness, the necessity of wholesome food, and They should also be taught how to take care of their eyes, ears and teeth, and how to do the right kind of physical exercise to help their growth. By teaching the children of school age how to form healthy habits and lead a healthy way of living, we can make them appreciate the important function of public health as they grow up.
so on.
The results of health education cannot be achieved in a few weeks or months, but in years, and careful planning is required in order to have the success we want. The health and education of the people are today regarded as among the chief functions of the government. I move therefore that in view of the forth- coming appointment of a senior health inspector for health education, a select committee be appointed to advise on the drawing up and carrying out of programmes of health education.
MR. LI YU BOR seconded.
He said: The merits of health education are so obvious that it will not be necessary for me to dwell on them at any length. In view of the forthcoming appointment of an officer
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.