ENG-1991 — Page 184

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HEALTH

protected from nine common childhood infectious diseases namely, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella.

All babies born in Hong Kong are being covered in the Combined Neonatal Screening Programme for congenital hypothyroidism and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase de- ficiency. The programme was first introduced in 1983. It facilitates early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions which may lead to disability. Parents of children identified through the screening programme are advised on the treatment and management needs of their children.

Rabies Control

Rabies control is carried out by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department. Hong Kong regained its rabies-free status in July 1989 following a period of two years during which no case of indigenously acquired rabies in human or animal had occurred. Notwithstanding the situation, strict control measures remained in force throughout the year: these included import control and quarantine of imported animals; compulsory licensing and inoculation of dogs against the disease; apprehension and elimination of stray dogs; thorough observation of biter animals for rabies infection, and close surveillance of the closed areas at the border.

Hospitals and Development Programmes

Hospitals in Hong Kong provide a total of 25 277 beds, representing 4.4 beds per thousand population. They provide services at low-cost which are easily accessible to the people of Hong Kong. In 1991, more than 646 000 patients were treated at the 35 public hospitals. There were 9 576 807 attendances in the specialist clinics.

Cases of acute illness and accident casualties are taken to the accident and emergency departments, which are attached to major hospitals. Such emergency treatment is provided free of charge. In 1991, there were 1 114 000 attendances in the public sector, averaging 3 052 attendances per day.

During the year, the demand for hospital services remained high, as reflected by the consistently large number of attendances at out-patient and specialist clinics, accident and emergency departments, and the number of hospital admissions. In addition, both departments provided medical care to Vietnamese illegal immigrants. In 1991, there were 13 500 attendances at accident and emergency departments by the Vietnamese, and 11 100 admissions with a total of 71 700 bed days occupied.

Work on the hospital development programme has been progressing satisfactorily with the opening of Sha Tin Cheshire Home and Sha Tin Infirmary and Convalescent Hospital and the completion of Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre. Construction work is continuing on the 1 600-bed Pamela Youde Hospital in Chai Wan, which is scheduled for completion in 1992.

At Queen Mary Hospital, construction of the Phase II extension block has been completed and the new blocks have begun admitting patients. The first government lithotripter unit commenced operation in mid-1991. There will be a total net addition of 480 beds upon completion of the whole extension project by 1994.

Services are being introduced in phases in Tuen Mun Hospital. Of its full complement of 1 600 beds, 770 were opened as at end-1991 with the provision of accident and emergency services extended to 12 hours per day.