ENG-1960 — Page 157

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HEALTH

run by such bodies, notably for the in-patient treatment of tuber- culosis, a subvention meets the cost of maintaining a fixed number of beds.

There is a charge of $1 for each attendance at most Government clinics, but out-patient treatment is available free for tuberculosis, leprosy and venereal disease. Ophthalmic services are free to the blind and to children under ten years of age, except for the cost of spectacles, and there is no charge for attendance at maternal and child health centres. Preventive inoculations against certain endemic diseases are available at Government hospitals, clinics and dispensaries, and BCG vaccine is provided without charge to doctors and midwives throughout the Colony. There is no charge for treatment or accommodation in the general and maternity wards of Government hospitals although when food is provided there is a nominal maintenance charge. Fees are payable for first class or single ward accommodation and for second class accom- modation in wards of two to eight beds, but in all cases may be waived if necessary.

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Finance. In addition to the recurrent expenditure on the services maintained by the Medical and Health Department, subventions totalling $21,811,700 were paid during 1960-1 to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Associa- tion, the Grantham Hospital (run by the Anti-Tuberculosis Association), the Hong Kong Auxiliary of the Mission to Lepers, and other like institutions and organizations. The largest subven- tion of $14,970,000 went to the Tung Wah Hospitals and included a fresh capital grant of $5,000,000 towards rebuilding the Kwong Wah Hospital. Total recurrent expenditure including the subven- tions was 9% of the Colony's total estimated expenditure. The estimated capital expenditure on new Government medical projects was $16,793,900.

Professional Registers. There are five statutory bodies which deal with the registration of medical practitioners, dentists, phar- macists, nurses and midwives. The Hong Kong Medical Council is responsible for the registration of medical practitioners and has responsibilities under the Medical Registration Ordinance, 1957; it is not an examining body. The Dental Council, Pharmacy Board, Nurses Board and Midwives Board all maintain registers, regulate training, hold examinations leading to registration or enrolment,