Annual departmental report by the Director of Medical and Health Services / Hong Kong.

  • Hong Kong. Medical Department.
Date:
[1958]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual departmental report by the Director of Medical and Health Services / Hong Kong. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/144 (page 8)
    Session of the Regional Committee. The meeting, held at the Grantham Training College from 5th to 12th September, was opened by the Governor, and Dr. G. Graham-Cumming, Acting Director of Medical and Health Services and the leader of the United Kingdom delegation, was elected Chairman. Observers from other United Nations agencies and a number of other affiliated organizations also attended. II. PUBLIC HEALTH GENERAL COMMENTS 34. The outbreak of Asian Influenza which occurred during the months of April, May and June was the only major epidemic episode of the year. Next in importance was the increase in the incidence of Diphtheria. Tuberculosis again showed an increase in the total number of cases diagnosed, but this increase is believed to be due mainly to the improved and extended diagnostic facilities. The incidence of other major causes of illness showed no significant variation over the previous year. 35. The Colony again remained free from the formidable epidemic diseases of Cholera, Plague, Smallpox, Yellow Fever, Epidemic Typhus and Relapsing Fever. For the second year in succession there was no case of rabies, either human or animal. 36. There was a gratifying drop in the number of cases of the enteric fevers, the total being the lowest recorded since 1950; the case fatality rate was the lowest on record. 37. The major health problem in the Colony is undoubtedly Tuber¬ culosis. Under the conditions of density of population and over¬ crowding pertaining to the urban areas, the magnitude of the re-housing problem is such as to render significant progress in this direction slow in relation to the urgency of the situation. Great strides have been made in re-housing and in the resettlement of squatters, and as much progress as can be expected has been made within the physical limitations of land, materials and cost. Therefore the ambulatory out-patient treat¬ ment of Tuberculosis allied to the preventive measures of B.C.G. Vaccination and of prophylaxis in contacts, constitutes the only logical approach to the problem. VITAL STATISTICS 38. Compulsory registration of births and deaths occurring in the Colony is required under the provisions of the Births and Deaths