ENG-1981 — Page 128

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HOLF

Health

SOME 20 projects in Hong Kong's medical and health development programme, including extensions or improvements to existing hospitals and clinics, were completed during the year. And in the decade ahead, many other planned projects, including five major hospitals of over 1000 beds each and more than 20 clinics and polyclinics in the new towns and major population centres, are due for completion.

Although the demand for medical and health services rose significantly during 1981 with a rapid increase in population bringing greater pressure to bear on the Medical and Health Department, the year also saw the completion of several major medical projects, the first and foremost being the 1 300-bed Kwai Chung Hospital which was officially opened in October 1981. The Lek Yuen Health Centre in Sha Tin also started operation and provides a general out-patient department, a family health centre, a public health laboratory, a health education centre and a regional office. The new Nam Shan Health Centre also started operating in Tai Hang Tung, replacing the old clinic which was too small to cope with the needs of the area. The Mrs Wu Chung Pre-natal Diagnostic Laboratory at Tsan Yuk Hospital was opened as part of government's overall plan to develop a full medical genetic service in Hong Kong. A 300-bed extension at the Wong Tai Sin Infirmary was completed by the end of the year.

Major projects under construction or being planned include the Prince of Wales Hospital and Polyclinic in Sha Tin (to be completed by September 1982), a 1 400-bed hospital for the Tuen Mun new town, a clinic in Cheung Hong Estate on Tsing Yi Island, a laundry at Pik Uk, and a school children's dental clinic at Argyle Street Camp.

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A customer relations unit - the first of its kind - was set up at Queen Elizabeth Hospital to improve communication between the hospital and the public by providing prompt in- formation about medical procedures while at the same time helping administrators to deal with public complaints. Pending evaluation of this trial scheme, similar units may be set up in other hospitals.

Throughout 1981, efforts continued to improve the many categories of health services in Hong Kong: school dental health, mental health, community nursing, control of communic- able diseases, port health, occupational health, school health and family health.

For the 1981-2 financial year, the Medical and Health Department's estimated expenditure is $1,077 million. Subventions totalling about $589.6 million are also being made to many non-government medical institutions and organisations. The estimated capital expenditure on hospitals and other buildings, including furniture and equipment, is $305.9 million.

Health of the Community

Hong Kong people continue to enjoy good general health assisted by improvements in