HEALTH
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There were 33 994 hospital beds in Hong Kong in 2003, representing 5.0 beds per thousand population: 28 007 beds in hospitals run by the Hospital Authority, 2 902 in private hospitals, 2 352 in nursing homes and 733 in correctional institutions.
Primary Health Care Services
Family Health
The Family Health Service of the Department of Health provides a comprehensive range of health promotion and disease prevention services for children from birth to five years and women aged 64 or below. The service operates through 50 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) and three Woman Health Centres (WHCs). Anticipatory guidance on child-care and parenting are provided for parents and care- givers to bring up healthy and well-adjusted children. Immunisation, health assessment and developmental surveillance services are offered to children at MCHCs. Antenatal, postnatal and family planning services are provided for women of child- bearing age. About 44 per cent of expectant mothers and 94 per cent of newborns attended MCHCs in 2003. The Woman Health Service is available in the three WHCs and 10 MCHCs, providing health education, counselling and appropriate screening service to women aged 64 or below.
The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs eight clinics, three youth health care centres, a mobile clinic, a mobile library, a reference library and seven women's clubs. The services encompass fertility regulation, women's health check-up, pre-marital and pre-pregnancy preparation, menopause service, subfertility service, youth counselling and men's health check-up. A Cervical Disease Clinic was opened in 2003. The association also offers family life education and sexuality education, and organises outreaching activities and publicity campaigns to advocate and promote responsible parenthood, and sexual and reproductive health among individuals, families and the community.
Student Health
The Student Health Service of the Department of Health places emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention and continuity of care. Its 12 student health service centres and three special assessment centres provide health assessment, health education and individual health counselling to all primary and secondary school students. The Adolescent Health Programme was introduced in the 2002-03 school year to promote psychosocial health in secondary schools. 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 immunisation campaigns.
Elderly Health
The Department of Health provides Elderly Health Services through 18 elderly health centres and 18 visiting health teams to enhance primary health care for the elderly, improve their self-care ability, encourage healthy living and strengthen family support so as to minimise illness and disability. Elderly health centres provide an integrated health service including health assessment, physical check-up, counselling, curative treatment, and health education to people aged 65 and above. Visiting health teams reach into the community and residential care settings to conduct health promotion
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