ENG-1982 — Page 138

HEALTH

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Training in dentistry is available in Hong Kong at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital. The first intake of students was in September 1980 and about 60 qualified dentists will be ready to serve the public each year by 1985. The first batch of 31 student dental therapists completed an intensive three-year training programme at the Tang Shiu Kin Dental Therapists Training School in February and has been posted to the Argyle Street School Dental Clinic. The Government Dental Service provides dental care for all monthly-paid government servants and their dependants, as well as simple dental treatment for the inmates of penal institutions and specialist treatment for patients in government hospitals. Emergency treat- ment is also provided for the public at a number of district clinics, while the Prince Philip Dental Hospital has been providing a limited out-patient service since October 1981.

Port Health

The Port Health Office enforces health control at Hong Kong International Airport and in the territory's waters to prevent the introduction of quarantinable diseases and to carry out other health measures required under the International Health Regulations. When a case of imported cholera was confirmed in May involving a tourist en route to Japan, the local health authority immediately notified the Japanese health authority and subsequently more disease-carriers were detected among the rest of the group of 130 tourists on their arrival in Japan.

The health staff also maintain close surveillance on the food catering services to the international airlines to ensure that food and water supplied by the flight kitchen service is clean and safe.

Epidemiological information is exchanged regularly with the World Health Organisation in Geneva and its Western Pacific regional office in Manila, and with neighbouring countries.

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Refugees

The number of refugees arriving in Hong Kong decreased dramatically throughout the year. Yet to prevent the importation of quarantinable diseases and the spread of communicable diseases among the refugees and to the general population, strict quarantine measures were imposed and vigorous immunisation campaigns and health education programmes were conducted in all the refugee camps. Disinfection and health screening, including chest X-ray examinations were carried out for new arrivals.

Voluntary agencies continued to co-operate in the running of clinics in the open refugee centres for the treatment of minor ailments while serious cases were referred to government hospitals and specialist clinics for examination and treatment. The health status of the refugees has improved significantly during their stay in Hong Kong due to the combined efforts of the government and voluntary organisations.

In July, a closed refugee camp was set up at Chi Ma Wan under the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 1982, with special medical services provided inside the camp.

Special Services

The Institute of Pathology runs clinical and public health laboratory services for the government and a consultant service for the government-assisted sector. It also administers mortuaries and blood banks. Some vaccines are produced at the Institute of Immunology. Various virus studies on hepatitis, poliomyelitis, influenza and rubella are undertaken. The Forensic Pathology Service with its fully-established forensic laboratory works closely with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force on the medical aspect of criminology and other medico-legal work.