ENG-1999 — Page 232

HEALTH

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effectiveness, the council contracted out the cleaning services for all public toilets and bathhouses.

Pest Control

Prevention of vector-borne diseases was an important task of both municipal services departments. The USD and the RSD continued with the integrated pest control programmes in the year. To suppress the upsurge of dengue fever in the HKSAR, both departments stepped up programmes aimed at eradicating the mosquito vector. With the technical support and advice of the Pest Control Advisory Section of the Department of Health, the RSD stepped up the anti-malarial activities around the international airport at Chek Lap Kok.

Cemeteries and Crematoria

In land-short Hong Kong, the Government encourages cremation rather than burial of the dead. During the year, over 80 per cent of the dead were cremated. Human remains buried in public cemeteries must be exhumed after six years and are either cremated or reinterred in an urn cemetery.

The RSD continued to manage four public crematoria and six public cemeteries in the New Territories. It also oversaw nine private cemeteries and six private crematoria. Public columbaria are provided at Kwai Chung, Fu Shan, Cheung Chau, Wo Hop Shek, Lamma and Peng Chau. In all, 34 982 niches were provided for permanent deposition of cremated ashes.

The Provisional Urban Council operated one public funeral parlour in Kowloon. It managed five public cemeteries and two public crematoria, and monitored 18 private cemeteries.

Environmental Health Education

The RSD's Health Education Unit continued to organise programmes for the population of the area served by the Provisional Regional Council. Targeted at school children were the Health Promoting School Scheme and Roving Drama. Food hygiene seminars for food handlers and market operatives were staged throughout the year.

The Provisional Urban Council also organised health education programmes to cater for the specific needs of the urban areas. The Restaurant and Lunchbox Supplier Hygiene Competition was staged for the food trade. The Ambassador of Hygiene Scheme, the Health Education Activities in Schools Funding Scheme and the Inter- school Health Education Song Contest were aimed at school children, whereas Talks on Public Health were organised for members of the public.

The Health Education Exhibition and Resource Centre at Kowloon Park was well received by members of the public. Visitors could enrich their health and hygiene knowledge through the permanent interactive exhibits, temporary exhibitions and the reference library. Various seminars and activities were also organised to arouse public interest in good hygiene practice and behaviour conducive to health.

A Healthy Menu and Healthy Cooking Competition and a Chinese Table Setting Competition were jointly organised by the Provisional Urban Council, the Provisional Regional Council and the Department of Health in celebration of the new millennium.