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Industrial Health
HEALTH
The main objective of the Industrial Health Service is to prevent occupational diseases and to promote health at work. It provides professional advice on matters affecting the health and safety of workers.
In the construction of the Mass Transit Railway, a large number of people are work- ing in compressed air. All such workers are medically examined and advised on the symptoms of decompression sickness and what to do if they occur. Hospitals and doctors also have been alerted to watch for decompression sickness.
The professional and technical officers of the Industrial Health Service carry out routine and special biological and environmental monitoring. The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory has been designated as a collaborating laboratory in air pollution by the World Health Organisation.
Dental Service
The Government Dental Service undertakes dental care for all monthly-paid gov- ernment servants and their dependants and offers limited treatment for government hospital in-patients, prisoners and training centre inmates. Emergency treatment is provided for the public at certain clinics.
Construction work on the eight-storey MacLehose Dental Centre in Morrison Hill, Wan Chai, was completed in October, 1978.
Voluntary bodies and welfare organisations operate free or low cost dental clinics for the public.
Port Health
The Port Health Service is responsible for enforcing control measures to prevent the introduction of diseases, which are subject to the International Health Regula- tions, into Hong Kong by sea, land, or air.
It provides facilities for vaccination and the issuing of international vaccination certificates. It also inspects and eradicates rats from ships on international voyages. The service provides medical assistance to ships in the harbour, transmits medical advice to ships at sea, operates a 24-hour health clearance service for all incoming vessels, and grants radio pratique to ships from clean ports.
Epidemiological information is exchanged regularly with the World Health Organisation in Geneva and its Western Pacific regional office in Manila, and with neighbouring countries.
Special Services
The Institute of Pathology runs clinical pathology and public health laboratory services for the government and a consultant service for the government-assisted sector. Vaccines are produced at the Institute of Immunology. Various virus studies on hepatitis, poliomyelitis, influenza and rubella are continually undertaken.
The Institute of Radiology and Oncology provides diagnostic and therapeutic services in hospitals and clinics. It handles more than 90 per cent of all patients requiring radiotherapy in Hong Kong. Visits are made to medical, commercial and industrial premises to inspect the working conditions of radiation workers and to
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