ENG-1996 — Page 213

11 HEALTH

THE Government's health care policy is that no one should be denied adequate medical treatment through lack of means. To this end, it provides a range of services and facilities to complement those available in the private sector and to meet the needs of less-affluent patients.

The Organisational Framework

The Department of Health is the government's health adviser and regulatory authority. It safeguards community health through a range of promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services. It also works with the private sector and teaching institutions to deliver primary health care.

The Hospital Authority is an independent body which was established in 1990 to improve the management of all public hospitals. It provides medical treatment and rehabilitation services to patients through hospitals, specialist clinics and outreaching services.

During the year, the number of hospital beds increased by to 29 856, representing 4.77 beds per thousand population. The total comprises 25 500 beds in hospitals run by the Authority, 3 515 in private hospitals, 769 in correctional institutions and 72 operated by the Department of Health. In December, 9 196 doctors were registered with the Medical Council and 36 395 nurses were registered with the Nursing Board.

Health of the Community

Hong Kong has worked to achieve health indices which compare favourably with those of developed countries. In 1995, the infant mortality rate was 4.4 per 1 000 live births and the average life expectancy at birth was 76 years for males and 81.5 years for females.

Health problems in Hong Kong are mostly due to lifestyle-related chronic degenerative diseases. The three leading causes of death in 1995 were cancers (31 per cent), heart diseases (16 per cent) and cerebrovascular disease (11 per cent). These diseases affect mainly elderly people and will continue to dominate the mortality statistics as the population ages.

Infectious diseases

There are 26 statutory notifiable diseases in Hong Kong, including three quarantinable diseases, namely cholera, plague and yellow fever. In 1996, about 8 700 cases of notifiable infectious diseases were reported, of which more than 75 per cent were due to tuberculosis.

161