ENG-1979 — Page 127

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HEALTH

$5 a year, schoolchildren can receive free medical treatment. The government contributes $30 a year for each pupil enrolled and also covers the board's administrative expenses. By 1979 about 169,000 pupils were participating in the scheme.

The School Health Service, a government responsibility, deals with the environmental health and sanitation of school premises and the control of communicable diseases. School health inspectors undertake routine inspections and health officers immunise schoolchildren against childhood infectious diseases. In 1978, rubella vaccination was introduced into the school immunisation programme.

Mental Health

The Mental Health Service provides full-time care for psychiatric patients at the 1,927-bed Castle Peak Hospital. The 384-bed Lai Chi Kok Hospital caters for long-term patients. The 1,300-bed psychiatric wing at Princess Margaret Hospital, to be opened in 1980, is the service's main development in the near future. The psychiatric unit in Kowloon Hospital and the university psychiatric unit in Queen Mary Hospital also provide a comprehensive psychiatric service in a general hospital setting. Having regard to the modern, universal trend in hospital development, future psychiatric units will be incorporated in general hospitals together with other specialised treatment units. The service operates on a multi- disciplinary approach comprising both medical and paramedical staff, including clinical psychologists, medical social workers and occupational therapists.

Supplementing hospital treatment are five day centres the Hong Kong Psychiatric Centre, the psychiatric unit in Kowloon Hospital, the Yau Ma Tei Psychiatric Centre, the Chai Wan Psychiatric Centre and the South Kwai Chung Psychiatric Centre. Occupational, social and recreational therapies are provided at the centres. Severely mentally-handicapped patients are cared for at Siu Lam Hospital. In 1979, the Caritas Medical Centre extension was completed, providing 288 additional beds for mentally-handicapped children who require hospital treatment. Voluntary agencies are working closely with the Mental Health Service to assist in the rehabilitation of patients before they return to full-time activities in the community.

Industrial Health

The main aim 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. It also assesses disabilities resulting from occupational injuries under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance.

In the construction of the Mass Transit Railway, a large number of people have been working in a compressed air environment. These workers have been medically examined and advised on the symptoms of decompression sickness and what to do if they occur. Medical examinations were also conducted for those in diving and radiation work.

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 Services

The government's Dental Service undertakes dental care for all monthly-paid government servants and their dependants. Emergency treatment is provided for the public and inmates of penal institutions at a limited number of centres.