ENG-1990 — Page 195

HEALTH

general out-patient clinics and specialist out-patient services. The Tuen Mun Hospital opened in March 1990, with services being introduced in five phases to provide 1 600 beds for the West New Territories region. It is expected to be fully operational in 1992.

For the 1990-91 financial year, the allocation of funds to the government medical and health services amounts to $4,854 million. In addition, subventions totalling $2,076 million were provided for non-government medical institutions and organisations. Capital ex- penditure on new hospitals and other buildings, including equipment and furniture, was about $1,639 million, including $477 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, the comprehensive range of 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 remained below seven 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 mainly to the provision of comprehensive family health care and neo-natal care facilities as well as improvements in environmental and socio-economic conditions and the health infrastructure.

(Statistics are given in Appendices 28 and 29.)

The incidence of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has slightly increased. During 1990, 12 cases were reported, bringing the total number on record from 32 to 44, of which 30 have died.

In March 1990, the government upgraded the Expert Committee on AIDS to an Advisory Council on AIDS by further enhancing involvement and participation from the community, non-governmental organisations and the private sector. This is in agreement with the Resolution of the 42nd World Health Assembly (1989). The council is tasked with consolidating the AIDS programme in Hong Kong to ensure substained capability in the coming decade through better linkages with other social programmes and through better management and evaluation of the existing programme. Another target of the council is to strengthen the AIDS programme through education, greater community involvement in preventive efforts and more comprehensive surveillance of HIV infection. Moreover, the council has introduced innovative ideas including a more flexible approach to reach the high-risk groups effectively through involvement of non-government organisations and the private sector.

The Committee on Education and Publicity on AIDS and the Scientific Working Group on AIDS under the Advisory Council on AIDS are expanded to have more community involvement and participation. These two committees continue to work on the education and publicity programmes and the technical aspects in the preventive programmes such as HIV surveillance, studies on epidemiology of AIDS in Hong Kong and various scientific research projects.

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.

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