ENG-1988 — Page 179

HEALTH

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non-government medical institutions or organisations. Capital expenditure on new hos- pitals and other buildings, including equipment and furniture, amounted to $546 million.

Health of the Community

The general level of health of the population remains good, largely due to anti-epidemic and disease surveillance measures, developments in preventive and personal health services, and a comparatively high standard of living. This is reflected in the highly satisfactory health indices. Infant mortality has stayed below 10 per 1 000 live births and the average life expectancy is 80 for females and 74 for males.

The leading causes of death today are 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.

Seven cases of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) were reported during the year, bringing the total number of AIDS cases on record to 16, of which 11 have died.

As there is no effective cure for AIDS and no vaccine available, the Medical and Health Department has put the emphasis of prevention and control on education and publicity.

In addition to the on-going health education and publicity efforts started in 1983, a 'Community AIDS Concern Week' was launched in the first week of December in support of the World AIDS Day of the World Health Organisation. It enlisted the participation and support of various government departments, voluntary bodies, the media as well as a number of religious groups. Activities organised included an exhibition, a Sunday concert, an inter-school debate, and a series of seminars for medical professionals, social workers, business corporations and the media.

The AIDS Counselling and Health Education Service expanded its work to include a heavy commitment in health education. Health talks are regularly delivered to various groups, including students, office workers, prison inmates and intravenous drug abusers.

The Surveillance Programme for infection by the AIDS virus, begun in April 1985, continued under the monitor of the Expert Committee on AIDS.

Blood screening for antibodies to the AIDS virus, introduced by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in August 1985, was maintained to prevent the possible transmission of the disease through blood transfusion.

An outbreak of hepatitis A occurred between January and April 1988, with more than 800 confirmed cases notified. Epidemiological investigation revealed that the outbreak was associated with the consumption of contaminated bivalve shellfish.

Surveillance and public health control measures were intensified. An inter-departmental Committee was set up to co-ordinate the various control measures, such as increased inspection of food premises and control of unlicensed food hawkers.

Health education messages on the importance of personal and food hygiene were widely disseminated to the public through television, radio, press releases, posters, pamphlets, a 24-hour telephone information service, and broadcasting at points of exit.

The concerted efforts of the different departments involved in the imposition and enforcement of the various food hygiene measures helped greatly to arouse public awareness of the problem. The outbreak was contained by May, and the number of cases returned to the normal level.

Two cholera cases were reported in the year, one local case and one case imported from Macau. Close surveillance of the disease and intensified health education and environ- mental measures were continued. There was no report of any other quarantinable disease.