ENG-1972 — Page 112

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七

Health

HONG KONG'S geographical and environmental circumstances make it vulnerable to infectious diseases, but in spite of this it has been free from any major epidemic in recent years. Considerable improvements have been made in the control of commu- nicable diseases with the result that very few cases occur. However, 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 non-commu- nicable diseases and from accidents. The leading causes of death in Hong Kong are cancer, heart and hypertensive diseases, pneumonia, cerebrovascular diseases and tuberculosis.

During the year, the development programme of the Medical and Health Depart- ment continued to make steady progress. A total of seven projects were completed. They are the Siu Lam Hospital for the mentally subnormal; the Medical and Health Department Institute of Immunology; stage one of the South Kwai Chung Polyclinic; the new clinical building and the new pathology building and virus laboratory at Queen Mary Hospital; the Medical and Health Department Laundry at Chai Wan; and the new Victoria Public Mortuary. Work also began on the Tsz Wan Shan standard urban clinic and maternity home, and on major alterations and the new outpatient department at St John Hospital, Cheung Chau. Construction work for the General Wing of the Princess Margaret Hospital continued satisfactorily.

Administration

The Medical and Health Department provides hospital and clinic facilities throughout both urban and rural areas, maintains maternal and child health, school health and port health services, and is responsible for measures to control epidemic and endemic disease.

The estimated expenditure of the department for the financial year 1972-3 is $215,184,100. To this should be added subventions totalling an estimated $123,006,900 to many non-government medical institutions and organisations. The estimated capital expenditure on hospital and other buildings, including furniture and equipment, is $40,691,000.