186 | Health
There were 34 221 hospital beds in Hong Kong in 2004, representing 5.0 beds. per thousand population: 28 231 beds in hospitals run by the Hospital Authority, 2 794 in private hospitals, 2 463 in nursing homes and 733 in the Correctional Services Department.
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 38 maternal and child health centres and three woman health centres. Guidance on child-care and parenting are provided for parents and care-givers to bring up healthy and well- adjusted children. Immunisation, health and developmental surveillance services are offered to children at maternal and child health centres. Antenatal, postnatal, family planning and cervical screening services are provided for women as appropriate. About 44 per cent of expectant mothers and 94 per cent of newborns attended maternal and child health centres in 2004. The Woman Health Service is available in the three woman health centres and 10 maternal and child health centres, providing health education, counselling and screening service to women aged 64 or below.
The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs seven 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. Over 120 000 clients were recorded in 2004. 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. 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
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