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HEALTH
ACCESS to affordable health care for all is the cornerstone of the government's health policy. The comprehensive range of health services available, together with improvements in the standard of living, have fostered a good general level of health in Hong Kong.
Under an extensive development programme, there was continued progress on the planning and improvement of medical facilities, including public hospitals, general out-patient clinics and specialist out-patient services.
The year 1993 saw an increase of 626 hospital beds, bringing the total number of beds to 27 038 representing 4.6 beds per thousand population.
New medical landmarks appeared with the opening of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and the Hong Kong Eye Hospital.
In addition, the go-ahead was given for the construction of a $1.7 billion, 600-bed hospital for North District, to be completed by 1997.
A special fund of $350 million was set up to provide assistance to haemophiliacs infected with HIV through the transfusion of blood products in Hong Kong prior to 1985, to help finance projects to prevent AIDS and provide medical and support services to those with the virus.
A $50 million grant to the Hospital Authority was also announced, to fund research programmes to assess the cost-effectiveness of new technologies and treatment techniques.
Another highlight was the publication of the consultation document, 'Towards Better Health', in July. The document, which seeks to remove any remediable flaws in the health care system, rationalise the financial structure of public health services and offer possible options for change for the better, generated keen public debate.
In the 1993-94 financial year, $13,823 million in funds was allocated to medical and health services in the public sector, including $12,342 million for the Hospital Authority. In addition, subventions totalling $195 million were provided for other medical institutions and organisations. Capital expenditure on new hospitals and related buildings, including equipment and furniture, was about $1,242 million.
The Organisational Framework
The Department of Health is the government's health adviser and the agency for executing health care policies and statutory functions.
It safeguards the health of the community through a comprehensive programme of promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitation services. These include personal health
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