ENG-1999 — Page 220

HEALTH

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hormone replacement therapy, menopause service and youth counselling are offered. It also conducts training in family life education and sex education in addition to outreaching programmes and publicity campaigns to promote family planning and responsible parenthood for the community.

Student Health

The Student Health Service places emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention and continuity of care. Its 12 student health service centres and three special assessment centres provide free health assessment, health education and individual health counselling to all primary and secondary school students. School health inspectors visit schools regularly regarding environmental hygiene and sanitation. School health officers and nurses advise on the control of communicable diseases and organise health education activities and immunisation campaigns.

Health Education

The Central Health Education Unit advises on and promotes health education within the Government and the community. It produces a wide range of educational materials such as pamphlets, videos and exhibition boards. In 1999, the Health Ambassador Programme continued to win acclaim. Volunteers from four major groups students, teachers, women and senior citizens -- were recruited and trained to conduct health education activities and promote health awareness among their

peers.

In support of the three-year 'Healthy Living into the 21st Century' campaign launched to enhance public awareness of, and promote, healthy living, the Department of Health has embarked on a number of media and educational activities. These include programmes organised in collaboration with other government departments or non-governmental organisations such as the Healthy Eating Movement for school children, Neighbourhood Health Ambassador training programme for public housing residents, and Health One Minute broadcasts on radio and television.

Health education is also promoted through the District Health System which is a framework to facilitate community support and foster intersectoral collaboration. District health committees, with members drawn from community service providers and the public, serve as a forum for community participation on district health promotion activities. In 1999, special emphasis was placed on healthy eating and elderly health in support of the Healthy Living Campaign and the International Year of Older Persons.

Clinics

The Department of Health operates 64 general out-patient clinics, providing accessible and 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 21 methadone clinics, 18 tuberculosis and chest clinics, 13 social hygiene clinics, five dermatology clinics, five clinical genetic clinics, six child assessment centres and other clinic services. More than 13 million visits to clinics were recorded in 1999.