ENG-1992 — Page 178

HEALTH

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The Central Neonatal Screening Laboratory co-ordinates the laboratory activities of the territory-wide neonatal screening programme on congenital hypothyroidism and glucose- 6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency.

The Pharmaceutical Service of the Department of Health is made up of two divisions. The first division provides pharmaceutical service to all government clinics. The second 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. In 1992, there were 65 prosecutions.

Radiation Health

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

Community Nursing Service

The Community Nursing Service of the Hospital Authority provides domiciliary and rehabilitation nursing care and treatment to the sick, the elderly infirm and the disabled in their own homes. The service is provided through a network of eight hospital stations and 42 satellite centres. During the year, 20 100 patients were served and 270 200 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 1992, the unit was actively involved in a number of campaigns including those on prevention of communicable diseases such as viral hepatitis and malaria; organ donation; diabetes; self-care; and AIDS.

The theme of the major health education campaign for 1992 was Healthy Members, Happy Family. A series of programmes including a 24-hour pre-recorded telephone information service, cartoon wording competition, photo competition and health news were arranged. An exhibition was held in the Science Museum in September.

Special training courses were arranged for students and teachers, notably the 13th Young Health Leaders' Training Course, which was held in July. Health talks and presentations were delivered to schools, voluntary agencies, private companies and government departments. Health education materials like pamphlets, cassettes, slides, videos and exhibits were produced for distribution or loan.

Close liaison is maintained with both government and non-government organisations in promoting health educational activities.

Smoking and Health

The Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 1992 was passed by the Legislative Council on January 29, 1992. As an important step in the government's on-going anti-