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The 24-hour Health Education Hotline of the Department of Health (DH) has been upgraded to provide information in Cantonese, Putonghua and English since 1 February 2001.

On top of the Cantonese messages, the upgraded hotline system can now provide pre-recorded messages and fax information in Putonghua and English as well. Public can access DH's hotline system simply by dialing 2833 0111. The service is free of charge.

The 24-hour Health Education Hotline includes 3 main items, namely "Health News", "Monthly Special" and "Health Topics."

"Health News" introduces the most updated health services and information provided by DH and "Monthly Special" discusses topical health issues. "Organic Solvent" is "Monthly Special" for February 2001 and tells how abusing organic solvent such as thinner harms health.

"Health Topics" includes 13 health topics:

(1) Family and Child Health

(2) Adolescent Health and Sex Education

(3) Women's Health

(4) Elderly Health

(5) Accident Prevention and Drug Safety

(6) Exercise and Nutrition

(7) Mental Health

(8) Smoking,

(9) Alcohol and Drug Abuse

(10) Common Killer Diseases

(11) Communicable Diseases and Food Hygiene

(12) Other Common Diseases

(13) Organ Donation and Patients' Rights

(14) Health Services of the Department of Health.

The Hotline was first set up by the DH in 1993 to provide pre-recorded health messages in Cantonese only.

End/Thursday, February 8, 2001

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