ENG-1996 — Page 229

HEALTH

The RSD manages 914 refuse collection points and 1419 bin sites and collects about 2 444 tonnes of waste daily, including 94 tonnes removed by a contractual barging service from the outlying islands for disposal on the mainland. To further improve waste collection services, refuse compactors are used in 18 selected refuse collection points, bringing about noticeable improvement to the environment.

To encourage dog-owners to properly dispose of dog droppings, the Urban Council has provided 260 dog excreta collection bins in the urban area. There are plans to refurbish and improve public toilets in phases. During the year, 36 public toilets were renovated in the urban area. Cleansing of 159 public toilets and 29 bathhouses has now been contracted-out. The councils provide a free desludging service to public aqua privies and septic tanks. The service is also provided on a charge basis for private facilities upon request.

The RSD has launched an improvement programme for over 600 public toilets at a total cost of HK$261 million. The project is expected to be completed by 1997–98. The department will also implement a phase II improvement scheme to upgrade the standard of another 55 flushed toilets in township area in the next few years. On waste collection, seven refuse collection points have been refurbished to modern standards at a total cost of HK$22 million. Further improvement works costing HK$36 million on village-type refuse collection points have just been launched.

Pending the commissioning of a centralised incineration facilities, the departments continue to provide separate clinical waste collection service for government clinics and hospitals. About 37.2 tonnes of waste are collected each week from 142 stops. The Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign, organised by the Joint Urban Council/Regional Council Keep Hong Kong Clean Steering Committee, continued its effort to educate the public to keep the environment clean through the implementation of a series of educational and community involvement programmes. District-based clean-up activities were

were also organised to encourage public participation. District bodies were encouraged to apply for subsidy under the Keep Hong Kong Clean Activities Funding Scheme to organise Keep Hong Kong Clean projects.

Law enforcement action was stepped up and 35 234 litterbugs were prosecuted during the year. They were fined a total of $12.97 million.

Pest Control

The USD and RSD carry out integrated pest control programmes to prevent vector- borne diseases. Measures include environmental improvement, eradication of breeding places, health education and law enforcement. Special surveillance is maintained to prevent outbreaks of malaria in Vietnamese detention centres. Technical support is provided by the Pest Control Advisory Section of the Department of Health.

Environmental Health Education

The Department of Health's Health Education Unit promotes environmental health and food hygiene through territory-wide education programmes. Working with the two municipal councils, the unit conducted several health education activities during the year, including the 1996 Food Safety Exhibition and the 1996 Food Hygiene Campaign for members of the food trade, school teachers and the general public.

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