ENG-1996 — Page 218

HEALTH

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Port Health

The Port Health Office enforces measures in the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance and the International Health Regulations to prevent the introduction of quarantinable diseases into Hong Kong by air, land and sea. The service regularly exchanges epidemiological information with neighbouring countries and the World Health Organisation.

Radiation Health

Radiation Board inspectors carried out 700 on-site radiological safety inspections on medical, commercial and industrial premises in 1996. The Radiation-Health Unit monitored the radiation exposure of 6 386 workers, detecting an average individual occupational dose of 0.2 millisievert against a regulatory limit of 20 millisievert. The Environmental Radiation Monitoring Programme detected no significant change in the background radiation level in Hong Kong during the year.

The Department of Health is collaborating with the Environmental Protection Department in commissioning a consultancy to construct a low-level radioactive waste storage facility. Work to condition the waste currently in store in the Queen's Road East Tunnel storage facility is continuing, in preparation for its transfer to a new facility by the end of 1997.

Medical Charges

Fees in public hospitals and clinics are heavily subsidised. Patients in general wards of public hospitals are charged $68 a day. This covers food, accommodation, tests, medicine and surgery or other treatment. Some private beds are provided at major public hospitals with higher maintenance and treatment charges.

A consultation at a general out-patient clinic costs $37, while a specialist consultation costs $44. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and child assessment services are $44 per session. Attendance at geriatric or psychiatric day centres and home visits by community nurses cost $55 per session. Fees may be reduced or waived in cases of financial hardship.

Smoking and Health

The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health is an independent statutory body, established in 1987 to acquire and disseminate information on the hazards of using tobacco products, and to advise the government on matters of smoking and health. In 1996, the council organised the Hong Kong Conference on Smoking and Health. It attracted international and local speakers who discussed the issues of tobacco advertising, sponsorship, youth education and health. To counter the trend of tobacco advertisers to reduce the visibility of health warnings in printed and display advertisements, legislation came into effect to require warnings to appear in black lettering/characters on a white background.

Training of Medical and Health Personnel

The University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong provide basic training of doctors. Their medical student intake in 1996 was 170 and 171, respectively. Under the Licentiate Scheme of the Hong Kong Medical Council, 34 externally-trained doctors passed the local licentiate examination in 1996.