ENG-2003 — Page 583

Table 27

APPENDICES

(Chapter 8: Health)

Hospital Beds and Selected Types of Healthcare Professionals

2002

2003#

Number

Ratio!!!

Number

Ratio)

Hospital beds

35 159*

5.2

35 566

5.2

Doctors (2)

10 731

1.6

11 016

1.6

Chinese medicine practitioners (3)

2 385

0.4*

4 738

0.7

Dentists (2)

1 907

0.3

1 848

0.3

Pharmacists

1 414

0.2

1 457

0.2

Nurses (4)

43 383

6.4

43 782

6.4

Midwives

5 136

0.8

4 791

0.7

Chiropractors (5)

67

+

Notes: Figures are as at end of the year.

(1) Number of beds/healthcare professionals per 1 000 population.

(2) Figures refer to doctors/dentists with full registration on the local and overseas lists.

(3) Figures are available since 2002. They do not include 3 227 listed Chinese medicine practitioners who can practise lawfully in Hong

Kong but are required to pass the Registration Assessment or Licensing Examination before they can apply for registration.

(4) Figures refer to registered nurses and enrolled nurses.

(5) It has become a mandatory requirement for registered chiropractors to practise only with valid practising certificates since February

2003.

+

Less than 0.05.

Sources: Department of Health,

(Enquiry Telephone No.: 2961 8582)

Hospital Authority.

(Enquiry Telephone No.: 2300 6515)

Table 28

(Chapter 10: Social Welfare)

Social Security

1998

2002

2003

Comprehensive Social Security

Assistance Scheme

Number of cases(1) ('000)

227

Amount of payment(2) (HK$ million)

9,441

267 14,405

290 16,131

Social Security Allowance Scheme

Disability Allowance

Number of cases (1) ('000)

81

Amount of payment(2) (HK$ million)

1,182

105 1,660

107 1,707

Old Age Allowance

Number of cases() ('000)

444

456

457

Amount of payment(2) (HK$ million)

3,238

3,581

3,574

Traffic Accident Victims Assistance

Scheme

Number of cases authorised for payment

6 019

7 089

7 139

Amount of payment(2) (HK$ million)

137

142

151

Notes: (1) Figures are as at end of the year.

(2) Figures refer to financial years of 1997-98, 2001-02 and 2002-03.

Source: Social Welfare Department.

(Enquiry Telephone No.: 2892 5232)

499