ENG-1985 — Page 156

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HEALTH

cirrhosis and liver cancers, the department introduced a hepatitis B vaccination programme against the disease.

Following the recommendation of the World Health Organisation, the present strategy is to provide immunisation against hepatitis B to certain high-risk groups in the community. The first group comprises those babies born to mothers who are carriers of the disease. The second group comprises health care workers who are in frequent contact with blood and blood products or tissue fluids.

The Medical and Health Department continued to administer a combined neo-natal screening programme for glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenose deficiency and congenital hypothyroidism to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of infants who may otherwise develop disabilities or mental retardation. The programme managed to cover all babies born in government and subvented hospitals. Based on the results of the present screening programme so far, the prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency in local male babies is 4.34 per cent whereas the frequency of congenital hypothyroidism disorder is 1 in 2 865 live births. Prompt follow-up and remedial measures were instituted and the development of per- manent disabilities in these children was therefore avoided.

Since 1981, an epidemic of a new disease causing unexplained immune suppression has been identified in the United States and many other countries throughout the world. The disease, termed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), has since affected some 15 600 persons with over 7 800 deaths.

In November 1984, an Advisory Committee on AIDS consisting of medical experts from the Medical and Health Department and the two universities was established to monitor the global development of this disease. The committee, in the light of available scientific data and knowledge, has recommended measures to contain this syndrome. In the course of its deliberations, it has set up guidelines to medical, nursing and laboratory staff on the diagnosis and reporting of AIDS and precautionary measures to be taken in handling cases. Three confirmed AIDS cases were notified as a result of the intensified surveillance programme. Health educational activities on the subject have been stepped up to educate the public on the facts of the disease and to allay any misconception and undue anxiety that might have arisen. The Central Health Education Unit has also produced special leaflets on this subject. Since March, a 24-hour telephone service has been available to those who are interested.

In order to prevent the possible transmission of the disease through the blood transfusion process, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service introduced a screening programme against the disease, based upon recommendations from other blood transfu- sion centres and the Advisory Committee on AIDS. All blood and blood products in the blood transfusion service were screened for the presence of any antibody to the AIDS virus before use. The department has also established the necessary laboratory facilities and expertise for the screening and diagnosis of the disease when required.

Hospitals and Development Programmes

There are three types of hospitals in Hong Kong - government, government-assisted and private - with a total of 24 638 beds, representing 4.5 beds per thousand of the population. During the year, pressure on the service was experienced on all fronts; this was reflected by the increase in attendances at out-patient clinics and accident and emergency departments, and by the number of hospital admissions.

As stated earlier, the Medical and Health Department's overall plan for the decade involves the construction of at least four more government hospitals: a 1 600-bed hospital