ENG-1990 — Page 201

HEALTH

A Central Neonatal Screening Laboratory was established in 1984. Its main function is to co-ordinate the laboratory activities of the territory-wide neonatal screening programme on congenital hypothyroidism and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency.

The Institute of Radiology and Oncology comprises three major divisions, the Diagnos- tic Radiology Division, the Radiotherapy and Oncology Division and the Medical Physics Division. The Diagnostic Radiology Division provides a diagnostic organ-imaging service. The Radiotherapy and Oncology Division provides comprehensive radiotherapy pro- grammes and a chemotherapy service for cancer patients. It also operates a cancer registry covering the whole territory. The Medical Physics Division provides radiation physics, clinical physics and radiation protection services. It also looks after the procurement and contract maintenance of radiological and related equipment.

Regular visits are made by the staff of the Radiation Health Unit to medical, commercial and industrial premises to inspect the working conditions of radiation workers. The unit also issues radiation licences to the proprietors in accordance with the Radiation Ordin- ance and Regulations. It assists in the Background Radiation Monitoring Programme organised by the Royal Observatory to establish an accurate baseline of the background radiation levels in Hong Kong.

The Pharmaceutical Service of the Department of Health is made up of two divisions, with a total establishment of 312, including 27 pharmacists. The first division provides pharmaceutical service to all government clinics. The second division deals with the inspection and licensing of pharmaceutical manufacturers and dealers and the registration and import-export control of pharmaceutical products and medicines. Action is taken against the illegal sale and distribution of pharmaceutical products and medicines, and in 1990, there were 56 prosecutions. In the Hospital Services Department, there were 62 pharmacists to look after the pharmaceutical needs of government hospitals.

Community Nursing Service

The Community Nursing Service provides domiciliary and rehabilitation nursing care and treatment to the sick, the elderly infirm and the disabled in their own homes.

Jointly operated by eight agencies, including the Hospital Services Department, the service functioned from a network of 49 hospital stations and satellite centres. During the year, 11 950 patients were served and more than 238 400 home visits were made.

Health Education

The Central Health Education Unit of the Department of Health is responsible for the planning, organisation, co-ordination and promotion of health education activities. In 1990, the unit was actively involved in a number of campaigns including those on envi- ronmental health, home safety, exercise and health, prevention of communicable diseases such as viral hepatitis and malaria, immunisation, organ donation, nutrition, adolescent health and mental health.

The theme of the major health education campaign for 1990 was Our Planet, Our Health. Think Globally, Act Locally. A series of programmes including workshops, a 24-hour pre-recorded telephone information service, essay competition, photography competition, health columns and media interviews were arranged. A carnival-cum- exhibition on the theme of environment and health was held at Southorn Playground in November and attracted a large attendance.

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