ENG-1995 — Page 194

11 HEALTH

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HONG KONG's comprehensive range of services and improvements in the standard of living have fostered a good general level of health. The cornerstone of the government's health policy is that no one should be denied adequate medical treatment through lack of means and it works to ensure that proper services and facilities are available from public and private sector providers.

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. It works in collaboration with the private sector and teaching institutions to provide a wide range of primary health care services.

The Hospital Authority is an independent body responsible for the management and control of all public hospitals in Hong Kong. It was established in December 1990 to integrate government and government-assisted hospitals with a view to optimising the use of resources, facilitating hospital management reforms and enhancing community participation. Medical treatment and rehabilitation services are provided to patients through hospitals, specialist clinics and outreaching services operated by the authority. Since 1992, management reforms have been introduced in most public hospitals, with the emphasis on defining clear lines of accountability and providing greater devolution of responsibilities.

The year saw an increase of 1770 hospital beds, making a total of 29 342 representing 4.77 per thousand. Of these, 25 000 are in public hospitals under the Hospital Authority 3 484 are in private institutions, 773 in correctional institutions and 85 in institutions under the Department of Health. In December, 8 476 doctors were registered with the Hong Kong Medical Council. The Hong Kong Nursing Board had registered 35 501 nurses.

Health of the Community

Hong Kong's health indices remain among the best in the world. Infant mortality is below 4.7 per 1 000 live births. The average life expectancy at birth is 81 years for females and 76 for males. The leading causes of death in 1995 were cancers (31 per cent), heart diseases (16 per cent) and cerebrovascular diseases (11 per cent). These diseases mainly affect the elderly and will continue to dominate the mortality picture as the population ages.