ENG-1993 — Page 196

HEALTH

the participating schools can join the scheme by paying a token fee of $20 a year. At the end of 1993, more than 335 900 children from 1 114 schools participated in the scheme representing about 45 per cent of the eligible school population - and about 516 general medical practitioners had enlisted. Since November, a student pays $18 for a consultation at the chosen medical practitioner's office. The government contributes $136 a year for each pupil enrolled and also bears the administrative cost.

A new Student Health Service, with emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention and continuity of care, will replace the existing School Medical Service. Preparations for its implementation are underway.

The school health service also deals with the environmental health and sanitation of school premises, and the control of communicable diseases. School health officers, health nurses and health inspectors make regular inspections of schools to advise on matters concerning the health of children, and organise health education activities and immunisation campaigns.

Port Health

The Port Health Service is the control authority for preventing the entry of quarantinable diseases into Hong Kong by air, land or sea. It enforces the measures stipulated under the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance and the International Health Regulations.

A 24-hour health clearance service is provided for all incoming vessels, including those ferrying refugees, and radio pratiques are granted to ships. The service provides vaccination facilities and issues international vaccination certificates. It inspects and supervises the eradication of rats from ships on international voyages and ensures adequate standards of hygiene and sanitation on board vessels or aircraft. The service also provides medical assistance to ships and aircraft within the territory, and gives medical advice to vessels at sea. The food catering service for international airlines is kept under close surveillance by its health staff, to ensure that food and water supplied to flight kitchens are clean and safe. The hygiene and sanitation of the airport is also covered.

The service regularly exchanges epidemiological information with the World Health Organisation in Geneva and its Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila, as well as with neighbouring countries.

Occupational Health

The Occupational Health Service of the department provides an advisory service to the government and the public on matters concerning the health of workers and the hygiene of workplaces. It also supervises the observance of occupational health standards and practices. The objectives of the service are to maintain and improve the physical and mental well-being of workers, to protect them against any health hazards arising from employment and to help them adjust to their jobs. The emphasis is on occupational disease prevention and health promotion.

In 1993, the service continued to participate in occupational health activities organised to promote public awareness of the importance of health at work. With the assistance of the Occupational Safety and Health Council as a co-organiser, the service also organised a week-long, large-scale exhibition and a seminar on occupational health in the office environment in October.

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