ENG-1996 — Page 214

HEALTH

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Children in Hong Kong are immunised against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella. Due to high vaccine coverage, diseases such as diphtheria and poliomyelitis have been virtually been eradicated and the incidence of preventable infectious diseases among children is relatively low.

HIV Infection and AIDS

In 1996, about 100 cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection and 50 AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) patients were reported. The cumulative total was about 770 cases of HIV infection and 240 AIDS patients.

The Advisory Council on AIDS plays a key role in supervising Hong Kong's overall AIDS programme. Its Strategies for AIDS Prevention, Care & Control in Hong Kong paper serves as the blueprint for Hong Kong's policy on all AIDS-related issues. In November 1996, the Advisory Council hosted the first Hong Kong AIDS Conference, with the theme Building New Hope Together. The conference was attended by more than 400 participants from medical, social and educational fields, as well as the general public.

The AIDS Trust Fund provides financial assistance to those infected with HIV through transfusion of blood or blood products in Hong Kong before August 1985. It supports community projects which provide services to those with HIV/AIDS, increase AIDS awareness or remove discrimination against those infected with the virus. So far, a total of $32 million has been disbursed.

The Department of Health's AIDS Unit provides counselling and medical consultation for persons infected with HIV or at risk of infection. Members of the public can use a telephone hotline (2780 2211) to hear recorded messages in Cantonese, English and Putonghua, to obtain fax messages, or talk in confidence to trained counsellors. Recorded messages in Thai, Tagalog and Vietnamese are also available. In 1996, five AIDS Awareness Ambassadors were appointed to help promote public awareness.

The participation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is crucial in the fight against AIDS and eight NGOs are now involved. By the end of 1996, a total of 75 companies and organisations had joined the Community Charter on AIDS, pledging to adopt a positive and non-discriminatory policy towards people with HIV or AIDS.

Hospitals and Development Programmes

Demand for hospital services remained high. In 1996, there were 960 800 hospital discharges and deaths and 6 335 400 attendances at out-patient and specialist clinics. Accident and emergency departments of major public hospitals had 2 089 300 attendances - or 5 720 per day.

Projects in the hospital development programme progressed satisfactorily. The Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, which opened in 1993, had 1 500 beds available and will eventually have 1 620. Commissioning began in the year for the Tai Po Nethersole Hospital. New hospitals under development are Tai Po Infirmary and Convalescent Hospital, North District Hospital, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, and Kowloon Medical and Rehabilitation Centre. Several other hospitals and specialist clinics were undergoing redevelopment or major refurbishment.