ENG-1963 — Page 192

HEALTH

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The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals maintains between 350 and 400 beds for the treatment of more chronic forms of tuber- culosis. Other institutions receiving support from Government which admit cases of tuberculosis infection are the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, the Sandy Bay Crippled Children's Home and the Haven of Hope Leprosarium.

Venereal Disease. Free clinics are maintained in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories for the diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of venereal diseases. Despite strict epidemiological control by contact tracing, follow-up of defaulters and free ante- natal blood tests, the incidence of primary syphilis has continued to rise considerably from the 1961 level. Gonorrhoea has shown a slight rise while chancroid and lymphogranuloma remained at a low level. The upward trend in primary syphilis and gonorrhoea may to some extent be accounted for by a rapidly increasing population many of whom have not yet been able to form stable family patterns. Teenage VD figures are almost negligible while latent, tertiary and congenital syphilis continue at a low level.

Leprosy. Sixteen out-patient sessions are held weekly throughout the Colony, solely for the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy. In addition sessions are held at social hygiene centres in conjunction with the dermatology and venereal disease clinics. The Hong Kong Auxiliary of the Mission to Lepers, with Government subvention, maintains 540 beds at the Hei Ling Chau Leprosarium to which infectious cases are admitted voluntarily. A small number of patients requiring surgical reconstruction are also accepted. Im- migrants from China, many of whom show severe deformities, make up a large proportion of new cases presenting at clinics for the first time. There is some provision for the fitting of surgical appliances for cases with limb deformities. Prejudices against employment or rehabilitation of cured patients are fast disappear- ing and widespread publicity is leading to a more humane and progressive approach to the problem by the community.

Malaria. Malaria continues to be endemic but is largely restricted to certain parts of the uncontrolled rural areas. The majority of the reported cases came from these uncontrolled areas, although their geographical distribution was markedly uneven. As in the preceding years, Sai Kung district on the eastern shores of the New Territories again accounted for the largest number of the