ENG-1969 — Page 167

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HEALTH

receive occupational training. Certain voluntary agencies, working in close co-operation with the Mental Health Service, assist in rehabilitation of patients before their return to full social and economic activities in the community.

DRUG DEPENDENCY

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 is run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts, a voluntary organisation receiving a substantial government subvention.-A building programme to increase treat- ment facilities from 250 to 500 was completed during the year. 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, are admitted for treatment and rehabilitation. Following their discharge, the society provides further assistance in their rehabilitation. Towards the end of 1968 a centre for the treatment of female drug addicts was opened in the same office in the urban area, the centre being able to treat up to 36 female addicts at a time.

HOSPITALS

The 15,835 hospital beds available in Hong Kong represent 3.97 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 13,698 are in government hospitals and institutions and in government-assisted hospitals, while the remaining 2,137 are provided by private agencies. Apart from beds assigned to the mentally ill and for the treatment of tuberculosis and infectious diseases there are 12,469 beds available for all general purposes, including maternity, giving a ratio of 3.13 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.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital serves as the main emergency and specialist hospital for Kowloon and the New Territories and has