ENG-1965 — Page 141

HEALTH

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bronchopneumonia encountered too late for treatment to be

effective.

PORT HEALTH SERVICE

The Port Health Service enforces the International Sanitary Regulations, as embodied in the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Regulations 1955. The service collects and distributes in- formation on notifiable diseases, provides inoculation and vaccina- tion facilities for travellers and transmits medical advice by radio to ships at sea. During the year special care was taken to prevent the spread of cholera from nearby infected areas and action was taken against those who attempted to enter Hong Kong from such areas without a valid international certificate against cholera.

A regular exchange of epidemiological information is maintained with the World Health Organization in Geneva, the Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila and with ports and airports in other countries. Passengers arriving by land, sea and air are medically examined as necessary and quarantine measures enforced against travellers from infected ports and airports.

The Port Health Service is responsible for sanitary control of the port and airport and these areas were kept free from Aedes aegypti throughout the year. There is regular supervision of the purity of water supplied by dock hydrants and water boats, and of the airport catering service. Ships are inspected to determine the extent of rat infestation and international deratting certificates issued. The dock area and airport are included in the rodent control scheme for the Colony and returns of rats destroyed and epidemio- logical examinations for plague are submitted weekly to the World Health Organization's international quarantine service.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

Hong Kong's maternal and child health services play an important role in maintaining health among infants and mothers, and there is increasing public understanding of the value of their facilities. Most babies are born in hospital maternity wards or in maternity homes (slightly more of them in the latter) and confinements at home attended by government or private midwives are less than 5 per cent of the total.