ENG-1968 — Page 161

HEALTH

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observation of disturbed children. A Psychiatric Observation Unit is operated in the Victoria Reception Centre for remand prisoners, and there is one ward for very low-grade mentally subnormal children in the Tung Wah Hospital. Other cases of mental sub- normality are in the care of the Social Welfare Department where they receive occupational training. Certain voluntary agencies, working in close co-operation with the Mental Health Service, assist in re-orientation of patients before their return to full social and economic activities in the community.

Drug addicts who volunteer for treatment and rehabilitation are treated in a drug-free environment at a rehabilitation centre on Shek Kwu Chau Island; their stay varies from four to six months. This institution, which is able to treat up to 250 addicts at a time, is run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts, a voluntary organization receiving a substantial government sub- vention. A building programme has commenced to increase treatment facilities to 500. The society maintains an office in the urban area where addicts can apply voluntarily for admission to the centre and, after a medical examination and socio-economic investigation, successful applicants are admitted for treatment and rehabilitation. Following their discharge, the society provides further assistance in their rehabilitation. A group of some 300 addicts formerly treated in the Castle Peak Addiction Centre is being followed up by staff of the Mental Health Service for as long as possible for research purposes.

HOSPITALS

The 14,899 hospital beds available in Hong Kong represent 3.79 beds per thousand of the population (see Appendix XXXII). This figure includes maternity and nursing homes, but not institutions maintained by the Armed Forces. Of these beds 12,842 are in govern- ment hospitals and institutions and in government-assisted hospitals, while the remaining 2,057 are provided by private agencies. Apart from beds assigned to the mentally ill and for the treatment of tuberculosis and infectious diseases, there are 11,651 beds available for all general purposes, including maternity, giving a ratio of 2.97 beds per thousand of the population. The figures quoted are based on the normal bed capacities of the hospitals, but in some cases the actual occupancy is much higher as camp beds are used exten- sively whenever the need arises.