ENG-1989 — Page 180

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HEALTH

million were provided for non-government medical institutions or organisations. Capital expenditure on new hospitals and other buildings, including equipment and furniture, was about $984 million, including $402 million for the subvented sector.

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, promotive 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 1000 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 mainly attributed to the provision of comprehensive family health care and neo-natal care facilities as well as improvements in environmental and socio-economic conditions.

The incidence of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has increased. During 1989, 16 cases were reported, bringing the total number on record to 32, of which 17 have died.

In the absence of effective vaccines or cure, health education and publicity remain the only effective tools for the prevention and control of AIDS. The Committee on Education - and Publicity on AIDS has the task of co-ordinating education and publicity to ensure that the AIDS prevention messages get across in an effective manner. Activities are directed towards three main target groups - the general public, the high-risk groups and the health- care professionals. Different channels are employed, including the mass media, health talks and special programmes for specific groups.

The AIDS Counselling and Health Education Service continues to provide counselling and medical consultation for persons who are at risk of contracting AIDS. Health talks are also arranged for various groups like students, prison inmates and intravenous drug abusers. Members of the public may use a special telephone hotline to obtain advice in confidence. Blood tests may be arranged under conditions of complete anonymity.

The Surveillance Programme, which was started in 1985, is maintained to provide baseline information on the prevalence of infection by AIDS virus among the various groups of individuals at risk, like sexually promiscuous people, multi-transfused patients and intravenous drug abusers.

Mass screening of all donated blood for antibodies to AIDS virus has been carried out by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service since 1985. This ensures the safety of blood used in transfusion and prevents the possible transmission of AIDS through blood transfusion.

Among the general population three local isolated cholera cases were reported in 1989. Epidemiological investigations did not reveal any further spread of the disease. Close surveillance and intensified health education and environmental measures were conducted. There was, however, an outbreak of cholera in August 1989 among the Vietnamese boat people detained on Tai A Chau, when 21 cases were reported. The outbreak was contained and there was no spread of the disease to the general population.

During the year, 745 malaria cases were reported. The great majority of them were imported cases coming from Vietnam and China. In order to detect cases early and to prevent their spread to the local community, effective surveillance systems, meticulous vector control measures and intensified health educational activities were effected. The

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