ENG-2002 — Page 218

HEALTH

170

community. The results of the consultation were reported to the public in July. The Government is finalising the legislative proposals with a view to reporting back to the Legislative Council's Panel on Health Services in 2003.

The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health is an independent statutory body, established in 1987 to acquire and disseminate information on the hazards of using tobacco products, and to advise the Government on matters related to smoking, passive smoking and health.

During the year, the council conducted publicity and community involvement campaigns with particular emphasis on discouraging smoking in public and in workplaces. The council continued its school health education programmes and, during the year, gave health talks to a total 142 primary and secondary schools. The council also operates a telephone hotline to receive enquiries, suggestions and complaints from members of the public on matters related to smoking and health.

In collaboration with the Ruttonjee Hospital, the Department of Community Medicine and the Department of Nursing Studies of the University of Hong Kong, and the Department of Community and Family Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the council set up in August 2000 a Smoking Cessation Health Centre, located at the Ruttonjee Hospital, to provide smoking cessation support services. This centre conducted a total 994 service sessions to help smokers give up smoking during the year.

Training of Medical and Health Personnel

The University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong provide basic training of doctors. They took in 175 and 151 medical students, respectively, in 2002. During the year, 13 doctors holding professional qualifications obtained outside Hong Kong passed the Licensing Examination conducted by the Medical Council of Hong Kong. Training in dentistry is available at the University of Hong Kong, which produced 55 dentists in 2002.

The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine is an independent statutory body with the authority to approve, assess and accredit specialist training within the medical and dental professions. Its 15 colleges conduct training and examinations to award specialist qualifications to qualifying candidates.

The University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the School of General Nursing of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital of the Hospital Authority provide basic training for Registered Nurses. The three universities recruited 329 nursing students into their four-year general nursing degree programmes in 2002. In addition, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the School of General Nursing of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital enrolled 270 nursing students into their three-year higher diploma nursing programmes. During the year, 50 nurses with professional nursing qualifications obtained outside Hong Kong passed the Universal Licensing Examinations for Registered Nurses or Enrolled Nurses conducted by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.

Government Laboratory

The Government Laboratory offers a comprehensive range of analytical and advisory services to support the Government in upholding its various commitments in the protection of public health.