ENG-1975 — Page 116

HEALTH

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Two methadone maintenance pilot projects are in operation to try to determine whether this form of therapy has a place among Hong Kong's drug treatment pro- grammes. Preliminary assessments indicate that the programmes are effective. As an emergency measure in December 1974, the Medical and Health Department opened three new outpatient methadone treatment centres to cope with the increase in demand for treatment. In January 1975 a fourth centre was added.

Dental Services

The Government Dental Service undertakes 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 33 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. Clinical observation shows 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.

Voluntary bodies and welfare organisations—notably the Hong Kong Dental Association and the St John Ambulance Brigade-operate free or low-cost dental clinics. The Church World Services, the Lutheran World Service and Caritas operate fully-equipped static and mobile dental clinics.

Medical Fees

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 attending tuberculosis, social hygiene or leprosy clinics, or for patients suffering from quarantinable diseases. No charges are made at certain remote institutions located in outlying areas or on the floating clinics. The infant welfare and ante-natal and post-natal clinics are also free. For patients admitted to the general wards of government hospitals, the daily maintenance and treatment fee was raised from $2 to $3 on November 1, 1975. But for patients who are unable to pay the medical fee, provision has been made for the charge to be either waived or reduced at the discretion of the Director of Medical and Health Services. A limited number of private and semi-private rooms are provided at major hospitals. The charges for these are much higher than general class wards and in addition all treatment is chargeable.

Training

There is a Faculty of Medicine in the Hong Kong University. Graduates receive the degrees of MB, BS, which have been recognised for registration by the General Medical Council of Great Britain since 1911. In recent years the medical school has expanded to an annual intake of 150 students to meet Hong Kong's increasing need