Health | 171
Meanwhile, the Centre for Health Protection continues to step up surveillance, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases through a scheme called the 'Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System' and other health surveys.
A Cancer Co-ordinating Committee makes recommendations for prevention and control of cancer, which claimed more than 12 800 lives in Hong Kong in 2009.
To reduce the mortality rate of cervical cancer victims, in 2004 the Department of Health, together with other healthcare providers, launched a Cervical Screening Programme to provide screening for women aged between 25 and 64. It also introduced a Cervical Screening Information System (CSIS) to collect and analyse data on cervical smears. In 2009, about 118 000 women registered under the programme underwent cervical screening.
In order to enhance care for chronic patients, in 2009 a chronic disease management programme known as Walk for Health was implemented in some selected Hospital Authority general outpatient clinics. Services provided include risk assessment and treatment, with diabetes and hypertension patients as the major target groups. The Hospital Authority also introduced six multi-disciplinary services on wound care, fall prevention, mental and physical health, drug consultation, continence care and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Health Regulatory Activities
Healthcare Professionals
Under existing legislation, 12 categories of healthcare professionals need to be registered with their respective boards or councils before being allowed to practise. in Hong Kong. At December 31, 2009, they numbered 12 424 doctors, 2 143 dentists, 6 119 Chinese medicine practitioners, 38 641 nurses (including registered and enrolled nurses), 4 525 midwives, 1 878 pharmacists, 118 chiropractors, 2 202 physiotherapists, 1354 occupational therapists, 2766 medical laboratory technologists, 2 004 optometrists and 1 700 radiographers.
To register and practise in Hong Kong as a registered Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP) it is necessary to have satisfactorily completed a recognised undergraduate degree training course in Chinese medicine practice or its equivalent approved by the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, and to have passed the licensing examination. As a transitional arrangement for the registration of CMPs, persons who were practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong before January 3, 2000 were eligible to become listed CMPs.
Depending on their practising experience and academic qualifications, listed CMPs may register through direct registration, undergoing the Registration Assessment or taking the licensing examination. The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong conducted Part I and Part II of the 2009 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination in June and August respectively. By year-end, 6 119 and 2 786 Chinese medicine practitioners were registered (including 71 Chinese medicine
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