448 History
The health care system has adapted to cope with changing social needs and circumstances. For instance, the Department of Health has gradually evolved from a provider of primary care services into a health advocate, focusing on promotion and preventive health care services while maintaining its status as the authority on health and related regulatory matters. Recent endeavours include the introduction of a cervical screening programme, anti-smoking campaigns, and on-going prevention and health promotion programmes on HIV/AIDS.
In the wake of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, the Government took a series of measures to strengthen its public health infrastructure. One milestone was the establishment of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health in June 2004. By strengthening the surveillance system and response capacity for infectious diseases, CHP aims to achieve effective prevention and control of diseases in Hong Kong in collaboration with the local community, the mainland authorities, the World Health Organisation and other partners around the world.
A comprehensive system of labour legislation has been developed to provide for employees' benefits and protection, employees' compensation, occupational safety and health. Free employment services are provided to help job-seekers find work and employers to recruit staff. The Employees Retraining Board provides quality retraining courses and services to the unemployed and potentially unemployed in order to enhance their employability and meet the needs of employers and the Hong Kong economy.
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