ENG-1971 — Page 135

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Health

HONG KONG'S geographical and environmental circumstances make it vulnerable to infectious diseases, but in spite of this the Colony has been free from any major epidemic in recent years. Considerable improvements have been made in the control of communicable diseases with the result that very few cases are reported, although precautionary measures against the re-appearance of cholera were maintained throughout the year. Diphtheria and poliomyelitis have been brought under control due largely to the prevention programme, while the incidence of measles has remained at a low level in recent

years.

Where once communicable diseases were responsible for the greater number of deaths, the position has now reversed and there are more deaths from diseases of later life and from accidents. The leading causes of death in Hong Kong are cancer, heart and hyper- tensive diseases, pneumonia, cerebrovascular diseases and tuber- culosis.-

During the year, the development programme of the Medical and Health Department continued to make steady progress with the completion of two projects—the David Trench Rehabilitation Centre at Sai Ying Pun, opened in March, and a standard urban clinic at Kwai Chung north, which was opened in November. The rehabili- tation centre provides special services for the physically disabled, as well as psychiatric day-patient and outpatient services in the Hong Kong Psychiatric Centre, and maternal and child health services in the Western Maternal and Child Health Centre. Work also began on the Tang Chi Ngong Specialist Clinic on Hong Kong Island east and the new Lai Chi Kok Hospital. Other projects under construction included the new vaccine institute at Pok Fu Lam; stage one of the Kwai Chung south polyclinic; a new clinical building at Queen Mary Hospital; and the Siu Lam Hospital for the mentally subnormal.

ADMINISTRATION

The Medical and Health Department provides hospital and clinic facilities throughout both urban and rural areas, maintains maternal

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