ENG-2002 — Page 211

CHAPTER 8

Health

Life expectancy at birth is projected to reach 82 for men and 88 for women in 2031, one of the longest in the world. This is a remarkable achievement for Hong Kong's health care services. The Government will continue to provide affordable lifelong holistic care to each individual and strive to further improve the health status of the community.

ONE of the cornerstones of the Government's health care policies is that no one should be denied adequate medical treatment through lack of means. The public health care sector provides a range of services and facilities to meet the health care needs of the community.

Organisational Framework

The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau is responsible for, among other matters, the policy formulation and resource allocation for health in Hong Kong. It also oversees implementation of policies to protect and promote public health, to provide comprehensive and lifelong holistic care to each citizen, and to ensure that no one is denied adequate medical treatment due to lack of means. In June 2001, a Research Office was established within the then Health and Welfare Bureau. The goals are to strengthen the Government's research capabilities in health policy matters and contribute to the agenda of maximising health for the people of Hong Kong.

The Department of Health is the Government's health adviser and agency to execute health care policies and statutory functions. It safeguards the community's health through a range of promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services. It also works with the private sector and teaching institutions to protect public health. The Hospital Authority is a statutory body established in 1990 under the Hospital Authority Ordinance to manage all public hospitals. It provides medical treatment and rehabilitation services to patients through hospitals, specialist clinics and outreaching services.

In December, 10 731 doctors were registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong and 43 383 nurses were registered with the Nursing Council of Hong Kong. There were 35 134 hospital beds in Hong Kong, representing 5.1 beds per thousand population: 29 505 beds in hospitals run by the Hospital Authority, 2 853 in private hospitals, 2047 in nursing homes and 729 in correctional institutions. The Department of Health also provided 25 beds for general out-patient clinics and maternity homes located in the outlying islands.

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