HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
“Kwun Lei” means “Control in a peaceful way”, “Deoi” indicates any disciplined body from a football team to an army. (Laughter). The name Hawker Control Force does reflect accurately both the purpose for which the Force was established and the duties on which it is at present engaged. Even the members of the Force attached to the cleansing squads are so attached to “Control in a peaceful way” the hawkers and their litter that the cleansing squads have to deal with. I understand that it would require an amendment to the Law if the Council wishes to use the Force for purposes connected with urban services in general.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
It was announced on 19th February by the Medical Department that the diagnosed case of cholera discovered in a Kowloon resettlement estate was the first time that the Medical Department had recorded a cholera case in the month of February, and that this indicated that the pattern of cholera in Hong Kong was changing. In view of the close proximity to each other in which people in resettlement estates live, will the Chairman inquire from the Medical Department whether a special inoculation campaign among our 500,000 residents should be initiated?
How many centres for cholera inoculation are to be found in our resettlement estates and areas?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows-
As I mentioned in a reply to a question asked by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN during the November meeting of the Council, the pattern of cholera in this area has changed and the current type of the disease now appears to be endemic and widespread in South East Asia.
The consensus of opinion amongst public health officials in the Western Pacific region is that the mode of transmission of cholera is from a symptomless carrier to a susceptible person and therefore the occurrence of the disease is not related to the external air temperature. This view is subscribed to by experts of the World Health Organization who have recently visited the Colony. Cases of the disease, though likely to be more numerous during the warm season, may occur at any time of the year.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As regards Resettlement Estates, the incidence of cholera has been a little less than elsewhere in the Colony; last year 17 out of the total of 115 cases occurred among the million or so residents of Resettlement Estates in Kowloon -the actual incidence rate in this group being 3.2 cases per 100,000 persons.
A general anti-cholera inoculation campaign will commence shortly, and continue as long as is necessary. Within the framework of this, it is proposed to have a special campaign for the population of all Resettlement Estates and Areas. I know we can count on every assistance from officers of the Resettlement Department in achieving the maximum possible results when this campaign is mounted. There are, at present, Government Clinics with inoculation centres in 6 Resettlement Estates, and 3 Clinics adjacent or near to other Resettlement Estates where inoculations are readily available. However, during a campaign, more reliance is placed on visiting or mobile inoculation teams operating at strategic points and times, and associated with special publicity and health propaganda.
Apart from the facilities for inoculation provided by the Medical and Health Department, there are other organizations operating medical clinics in Resettlement Estates. These are all supplied with cholera vaccine on request.
MR. SALES: ---Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary question? Is this the same new strain for which in November we suggested a name?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: I quite understand the question.
MR. SALES-I do not believe the Vice-Chairman was the same person in November as the present one. At that time the suggestion was put forward by the Appointed Members that if a new strain of cholera were in fact discovered in Hong Kong the obvious name should be after the Member of this Council who raised the issue. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI:-On a point of order, I believe it was suggested by Mr. SALES, not the Appointed Members in general.
MR. SALES: -For and on behalf of.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, that being a frivolous question I refuse to comment on it.
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368
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
"Kwun Lei" means "Control in a peaceful way”, “Deoi" indicates any disciplined body from a football team to an army. (Laughter). The name Hawker Control Force does reflect accurately both the purpose for which the Force was established and the duties on which it is at present engaged. Even the members of the Force attached to the cleansing squads are so attached to "Control in a peaceful way" the hawkers and their litter that the cleans- ing squads have to deal with. I understand that it would require an amendment to the Law if the Council wishes to use the Force for purposes connected with urban services in general.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
It was announced on 19th February by the Medical Department that the diagnosed case of cholera discovered in a Kowloon resettlement estate was the first time that the Medical Department had recorded a cholera case in the month of February, and that this indicated that the pattern of cholera in Hong Kong was changing. In view of the close proximity to each other in which people in resettlement estates live, will the Chairman inquire from the Medical Department whether a special inoculation campaign among our 500,000 residents should be initiated?
How many centres for cholera inoculation are to be found in
our resettlement estates and areas?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH Services replied as follows-
As I mentioned in a reply to a question asked by Mr. CHEONG- LEEN during the November meeting of the Council, the pattern of cholera in this area has changed and the current type of the disease now appears to be endemic and wide- spread in South East Asia.
The consensus of opinion amongst public health officials in the Western Pacific region is that the mode of transmission of cholera is from a symptomless carrier to a susceptible person and therefore the occurrence of the disease is not related to the external air temperature. This view is sub- scribed to by experts of the World Health Organization who have recently visited the Colony. Cases of the dis- ease, though likely to be more numerous during the warm season, may occur at any time of the year.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
369
As regards Resettlement Estates, the incidence of cholera has been a little less than elsewhere in the Colony; last year 17 out of the total of 115 cases occurred among the million or so residents of Resettlement Estates in Kowloon -the actual incidence rate in this group being 3.2 cases per 100,000 persons.
A general anti-cholera inoculation campaign will commence shortly, and continue as long as is necessary. Within the framework of this, it is proposed to have a special cam- paign for the population of all Resettlement Estates and Areas. I know we can count on every assistance from officers of the Resettlement Department in achieving the maximum possible results when this campaign is mounted. There are, at present, Government Clinics with inoculation centres in 6 Resettlement Estates, and 3 Clinics adjacent or near to other Resettlement Estates where inoculations are readily available. However, during a campaign, more reliance is placed on visiting or mobile inoculation teams operating at strategic points and times, and associated with special publicity and health propaganda.
Apart from the facilities for inoculation provided by the Medical and Health Department, there are other organiza- tions operating medical clinics in Resettlement Estates. These are all supplied with cholera vaccine on request.
MR. SALES: ---Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary question? Is this the same new strain for which in November we suggested a name?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: quite understand the question.
-I do not
MR. SALES-I do not believe the Vice-Chairman was the same person in November as the present one. At that time the suggestion was put forward by the Appointed Members that if a new strain of cholera were in fact discovered in Hong Kong the obvious name should be after the Member of this Council who raised the issue. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI:-On a point of order, I believe it was suggested by Mr. SALES, not the Appointed Members in general.
MR. SALES: -For and on behalf of.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, that being a frivolous question I refuse to comment on it.
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