ENG-2002 — Page 212

HEALTH

164

Health Care Reform

The Health Care Reform Consultation Document, titled 'Lifelong Investment in Health' was released in December 2000. The consultation document stressed the need for recreating a health care system that promotes health, provides lifelong holistic care, enhances quality of life and enables full human development. It also highlighted the importance of individual participation and responsibility in taking care of one's own health.

The results of the consultation, as well as the Government's proposed way forward, were announced in July 2001. In general, the Government observed that there was an undisputed consensus on the need for reform among different sectors of the community. In the light of the public opinions expressed, the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau has been working closely with the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority to implement the various reform proposals in an incremental approach.

In general, the reform initiatives centred on three main pillars of the health care system service delivery, quality assurance and long-term financing. Some more straightforward proposals such as the introduction of Chinese medicine in the public health care system, promotion of the family medicine approach in the general out-patient clinics, further cost containment to control the growth of medical costs, and a comprehensive review of the fee structure for the public health care system - have been implemented or are being-implemented.

For more complicated and contentious proposals, such as the introduction of a compulsory medical savings account, further in-depth studies are being conducted with a view to consulting the public again at a later date.

Health of the Community

Health Status

Hong Kong's health indices compare favourably with those of most developed countries. The infant mortality rate, one of the most important indicators of health, has been declining over the past two decades and reached as low as 2.4 per thousand live births in 2002. Maternal mortality ratio has remained low for the past two decades. In 2002, there were only two cases of maternal deaths reported, giving a maternal mortality ratio of 4.2 per hundred thousand live births. Longevity has also improved significantly for Hong Kong people over the years. On average, a baby boy born in 2002 could expect to live 78.7 years and a baby girl 84.7 years. Life expectancy at birth is projected to reach 82 for men and 88 for women in 2031.

Health problems in Hong Kong are mostly associated with lifestyle-related chronic degenerative diseases. The three leading causes of death are cancers, heart diseases and cerebrovascular disease. Together, they accounted for approximately 58 per cent of all deaths. These diseases affect mainly elderly people and will continue to dominate the mortality statistics as the population ages.

Infectious Diseases

Hong Kong lists 27 statutory notifiable infectious diseases, including three quarantinable diseases, namely cholera, plague and yellow fever. In 2002, 25 412 cases