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Medical Fees

HEALTH

At all government general outpatient and specialist outpatient clinics there is a nominal charge of $1 a visit, which includes all diagnostic investigations, treatment and medicine. There are no charges for patients at tuberculosis, social hygiene or leprosy clinics or for patients suffering from quarantinable diseases. Similarly, no charges are made at certain remote institutions located in outlying areas or at floating clinics. The infant welfare, ante-natal and post-natal clinics are also free. For patients admitted in the general wards of government hospitals, the daily maintenance and treatment fee ranges from $2 to $6 according to the diet supplied. A limited number of private rooms and small semi-private wards are provided at major hospitals. The charges for these are much higher than general class wards and in addition all treatment is chargeable. But for the patients who are unable to pay the medical fee, the charge can be either waived or reduced at the discretion of the Director of Medical and Health Services.

Dental Services

The Government Dental Service undertakes complete dental care for all monthly- paid government officers and their families, and offers a limited treatment programme for inpatients of government hospitals, prisoners and inmates of training centres. The service also provides emergency treatment for the general public at certain clinics. There are 32 government dental clinics, including one mobile unit which supplements static clinic facilities.

Fluoridation of Hong Kong's urban water supply began in 1961 and most of the population now receives water which has been treated with sodium fluoride or sodium silico-fluoride. It appears from clinical observation that this measure has already brought about a reduction in the prevalence of dental caries, particularly among children, and that this benefit will become more marked in the future.

Many voluntary bodies and welfare organisations, particularly the Hong Kong Dental Association and the St John Ambulance Brigade, maintain free or low-cost dental clinics and many dentists give their services free of charge. The Church World Services, the Lutheran World Service and Caritas operate fully equipped static and mobile dental clinics.

Ophthalmic Service

There are three full-time outpatient centres which are equipped with investigation, treatment and operation facilities. The service also operates on a sessional basis in various urban clinics and in the outlying districts of the New Territories. Ophthalmic surgery is performed at the two major government hospitals in which 36 beds are reserved for this purpose. The staff of the ophthalmic service also deal with emergencies at the three casualty departments.

Training

There is a Faculty of Medicine in the Hong Kong University. Graduates are conferred the degrees of MB, BS, which have been recognised for registration by the