ENG-1986 — Page 157

HEALTH

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The working party was set up on the advice of the Medical Development Advisory Committee, with the objective of examining the various aspects of postgraduate medical training in Hong Kong, and making recommendations.

The working party, chaired by Dr K. E. Halnan, a British physician with wide-ranging knowledge of postgraduate medical education, began work in October.

It will:

monitor the need for postgraduate training in medical specialties and continuing education for the medical profession in Hong Kong;

advise on the organisation of programmes on postgraduate medical training and continuing education with reference to the responsibilities of the universities, medical professionals, hospital authorities and the government;

determine the standards within each postgraduate programme, examine the need for local examinations and certification of standards and advise on the need for a body to accredit programmes of postgraduate medical training and continuing education. The working party comprises 14 other members from local universities, medical pro- fessional bodies, government and subvented hospitals, medical and health administra- tion and the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee. It is expected to report its findings and recommendations within two years to the government.

For the 1986-7 financial year, the Medical and Health Department's estimated ex- penditure is $2,646 million. In addition, subventions totalling about $1,270 million are being made to many non-government medical institutions or organisations. The capital expend- iture on hospitals and other buildings, including equipment and furniture, totals around $249 million.

Health of the Community

The general level of health of the population remains good, largely due to anti-epidemic and disease surveillance measure, developments in preventive and personal health services, and a high standard of living. This progress is further reflected in the highly satisfactory health indices and the general decline in the incidence of major communicable diseases.

The leading causes of death today are various forms of cancer, heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases. The low infant mortality rate is attributed to the provision of comprehensive family health care and neo-natal care facilities as well as improvements in environmental and socio-economic conditions.

Three confirmed but isolated cases of cholera were reported in the months of May, June and July. Two of these were imported cases. Towards the end of July and in early August, there was a local outbreak and Hong Kong was declared a cholera infected area in accordance with the International Health Regulation of the World Health Or- ganisation.

Up to August 20, a total of 22 cases of cholera was reported. Epidemiological in- vestigation revealed that there was a clustering of cases in the East Kowloon region, where 14 patients residing or working in Kwun Tong indicated that they had consumed food prepared by hawkers in the Kwun Tong area, prior to the onset of symptoms. A common source was suspected to be responsible for this outbreak.

The other cases occurred in Sha Tin, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsz Wan Shan, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Kwai Chung and Yuen Long. These were considered to be isolated cases.

Public health and preventive measures were immediately stepped up, and an ad hoc Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on the Control of Cholera was established to advise and co-ordinate the various preventive, control and publicity measures.