Health 173
NGOs also provide healthcare services at different levels in Hong Kong. Non- profit-making community clinics offering primary healthcare services are operated by a large number of NGOs. They include, for example, the United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, Haven of Hope Christian Service, Hong Kong Christian Service, Christian Family Service Centre, Yan Oi Tong, Sik Sik Yuen, Caritas-Hong Kong, Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society and Ching Chung Taoist Association. Apart from these organisations, Yan Chai Hospital, Pok Oi Hospital, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the Hong Kong Buddhist Association and others provide Chinese medical services. Two Chinese medicine clinics belonging to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals offer members of the public free Chinese medicines subsidised by the Government.
In addition, many NGOs organise health promotion, educational and other healthcare-related activities. Some NGOs also provide health assessment services for elderly people, and medical check-ups for women. The Hong Kong St. John Ambulance provides first aid training and services, while the Hong Kong Red Cross. provides first aid training to promote first aid knowledge and skills. The Hong Kong Cancer Fund boosts public awareness of cancer and encourages people to undertake regular screening for certain cancers to minimise cancer risk.
Secondary, Tertiary and Specialised Healthcare Services
Secondary, tertiary and specialised healthcare services are provided mainly in hospitals and specialist clinics run by HA. At the end of 2011, there were 27 041 public hospital beds, comprising 20 733 general beds, 2 041 infirmary beds, 3 607 beds for the mentally ill and 660 beds for the mentally handicapped. In addition, there were 4 098 beds in private hospitals, 4 190 in nursing homes and 792 in institutions run by the Correctional Services Department. There are five beds per thousand of population.
According to existing figures, spending on secondary, tertiary and specialised healthcare services, including public specialist outpatient and inpatient services, as well as private inpatient services, amounts to about $38.9 billion, of which spending on public specialist outpatient and inpatient services accounts for 79 per cent.
Specialist Outpatient Service
Public sector secondary and tertiary ambulatory medical services are provided mainly through the HA's specialist clinics. About $7.1 billion was allocated in the 2010-11 financial year for these services.
Hospital clusters under the HA have specialist clinics for a wide range of specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics and traumatology, ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, oncology and cardio-thoracic surgery.
In 2011, members of the public made close to 6.68 million visits to public hospital specialist outpatient clinics.
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