ENG-1996 — Page 215

HEALTH

Primary Health Care

Primary health care, which emphasises the promotion of general health and prevention of disease, is recognised world-wide as the most cost-effective way to provide health care services.

District Health System

The District Health System is a co-ordinated approach to providing primary health care services. It allows for the delivery of services most relevant to the needs of the community through health care providers within the district working as a team. The setting up of district health committees, with members drawn from community service providers and the public, provides a forum for community participation in the identification of health care needs and implementation of programmes. The system was extended to other parts of Kowloon in 1996 after a successful trial in Kwun Tong.

Clinics

The Department of Health operates 60 general out-patient clinics, providing affordable primary care to the public. Mobile dispensaries, floating clinics and a flying doctor service cater to residents of remote areas and outlying islands. The department also operates 48 mother and child health centres, 13 student health centres, 16 tuberculosis and chest clinics, 13 social hygiene clinics, five dermatology clinics, five clinical genetic clinics, four child assessment centres and other clinic services. Total attendance in 1996 was more than 11 million.

Private-sector services are provided by medical practitioners under the Estate Doctor's Association, who run clinics in housing estates to offer a low-cost service for residents, medical practitioners in private practice and 198 clinics registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance.

Health Education

The Central Health Education Unit plans, organises and promotes health education activities. With collaboration and support from other agencies, a Healthy Lifestyle Campaign was introduced in 1996 which provided health information for the public through a number of interesting and exciting programmes. The aim was to cultivate the concept of healthy living.

Two innovative health education facilities namely, the Interactive Learning Computer System and the Donormobile were realised in 1996 with sponsorship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The former is an advanced bilingual computer system which offers up-to-date information on 19 health topics. The latter is a truck which tours Hong Kong to spread the message of organ donation to the public.

The Health Ambassador Programme was expanded in 1996. Volunteers from four major groups

senior citizens, teachers, women and students -- are recruited and trained to promote health education activities within their own community. The computerised 24-hour telephone health education service (2833 0111) was also expanded and reorganised to provide more than 220 messages on various health topics.

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