Hong Kong Department of Health 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 50 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) and three Woman Health Centres (WHCs). Anticipatory guidance on child-care and parenting are provided for parents and care-givers to bring up healthy and well-adjusted children. Immunisation, health assessment and developmental surveillance services are offered to children at MCHCs. Antenatal, postnatal and family planning services are provided for women of child-bearing age. About 44 per cent of expectant mothers and 94 per cent of newborns attended MCHCs in 2003. The Woman Health Service is available in the three WHCs and 10 MCHCs, providing health education, counselling and appropriate screening service to women aged 64 or below.
The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs eight 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. A Cervical Disease Clinic was opened in 2003. 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. School 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 integrated health service including health assessment, physical check-up, counselling, curative treatment, and health education to people aged 65 and above. Visiting health teams reach into the community and residential care settings to conduct health promotion activities for the elderly and to provide training to carers to enhance their health knowledge and skills in caring for the elderly.
Clinics
The Department of Health operates 20 methadone clinics, 19 tuberculosis and chest clinics, 10 social hygiene clinics, five dermatology clinics, three clinical genetic clinics, seven child assessment centres and other clinic services. About 10 million visits to clinics were recorded in 2003. During the year, 59 general out-patient clinics operated by the department were transferred to the Hospital Authority to enhance integration of primary and specialist care.
Apart from public service facilities, members of the community may seek medical treatment from the private sector, which includes medical practitioners working in private practices and 178 clinics registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance.
Dental Health
Preventive services are delivered through the School Dental Care Service of the Department of Health which provides annual dental examination and basic dental care to about 436 000 children annually. A 24-hour interactive voice response system at the telephone hotline provides voice and fax information on the service and on oral health. The Department of Health monitors the level of fluoridation in the communal water supply in order to reduce dental decay among the population.
Specialist oral health care services are provided to hospital patients and those with special oral health needs. In addition, there are 11 designated dental clinics which provide emergency dental service to the public.
Globalsurance has extensive knowledge of international medical insurance for expats living all over the world including Hong Kong. We are here to help you choose the most suitable Hong kong International Health Insurance plan that is best suited to your needs.
Globalsurance is an independent medical and international health insurance advisor. We offer free quotations and advice to clients throughout the World. If you are planning to travel or live abroad, we can offer you advice to match your international health insurance needs.
Hong Kong is a bustling blend of traditional Chinese culture and cosmopolitan style.