ENG-1978 — Page 116

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Health

THE development of Hong Kong's medical and health services is geared towards a balanced provision of services to meet the many needs of the community. The gov- ernment has committed itself to a substantial expansion programme covering a wide range of services including primary health care, the provision of more hospital beds, increased rehabilitation facilities and a certain number of specialised treatment units. Important achievements in 1978 included the establishment of a Central Health Education Unit within the Medical and Health Department. The unit is providing professional advice to other government departments and voluntary organisations which are interested in carrying out health education programmes in their special fields.

Construction of an 11-storey clinical pathology building at Kwong Wah Hospital commenced in late 1978. When completed, it will provide a much larger range of clinical services greatly enhancing the facilities of Kwong Wah Hospital, which is the regional hospital for west Kowloon.

A further step forward in the provision of medical care for the residents of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung is being achieved with the construction of an extension to Yan Chai Hospital, which commenced in mid-1978. A total of 50 beds are being provided in the first stage of the expansion project with additional beds, supporting facilities and staff quarters planned for subsequent stages of development.

In the New Territories, construction of the Fanling Hospital Extension commenced in August, 1978. The extension will bring the hospital to district hospital capability. During the year the MacLehose Dental Centre, which accommodates a training school for dental therapists and dental hygienists, a schoolchildren's dental clinic and other dental surgeries, was completed. The first intake of student dental therapists and hygienists took place in October, 1978, and the first schoolchildren's dental clinic will open in 1980. It is envisaged that five dental clinics for schoolchildren will come into operation by 1984.

In the next few years a number of major projects, as outlined in the government's 10-year Medical Development Plan to 1987, are expected to be completed. The 1,300- bed psychiatric wing of the Princess Margaret Hospital, which serves as a regional hospital for the west New Territories, will be completed by 1980. Site formation work for the 1,400-bed teaching hospital at Sha Tin has commenced and it is expected to become operational in 1982. Preparatory work on another important hospital, the 1,300-bed Tuen Mun Hospital, has started. This project is scheduled for completion by 1984. More than 10 clinics, polyclinics and health centres will be completed and