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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau Wai-hing and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):
Question:
Woman health service is currently provided in three Woman Health Centres (WHCs) and 10 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) under the Department of Health. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) of the respective monthly statistics on the cases on the waiting list for woman health service in each WHC and MCHC last year;
(b) whether they will set up additional WHCs; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and the costs required for setting up an additional WHC; and
(c) whether they will consider splitting the units in MCHCs which provide woman health service at present and upgrading them to formal WHCs; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and the costs involved?
Reply:
President,
(a) The Government has always attached importance to health promotion and disease prevention among the whole population and provided services specifically for different age groups and genders having regard to their health needs and risks. On promotion of health among women, comprehensive and integrated services are provided for women aged 64 or below at three Woman Health Centres (WHCs) and 10 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) (on a sessional basis) under the Family Health Service of the Department of Health (DH). The services include health promotion and counselling on specific topics (eg healthy lifestyle, menstrual problems, bone health, breast awareness and mental health) and health assessments (physical check-up and appropriate screening tests conducted according to individual circumstances, eg blood tests, cervical cytology screening and mammography). Referrals will also be made to specialists as appropriate.
The waiting time for woman health service varies in different districts, ranging from about one week to four months on average. DH does not have the respective monthly statistics on the waiting time for woman health service at each WHC and MCHC last year. The quarterly statistics on the waiting time for physical checkup at each WHCs and MCHCs are as shown in Table 1.
(b) DH has been striving to promote woman health through different channels. Apart from promoting through its WHCs and MCHCs, DH has also collaborated with various community organisations, non-government organisations and different women groups to promote woman health. Other organisations such as the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong also provide a wide range of health promotion programmes, including non-profit making woman health services. The Government has no plan to set up additional WHCs at this stage, but will continue to keep in view the demand for and utilisation of the relevant services. Information on woman health is also available at DH's websites. DH will continue to promote woman health and enhance health awareness among women through different channels.
The costs of setting up an additional WHC vary due to many factors, such as the service quota, number of healthcare professionals and clerical staff, facilities of clinics and the rent of the premise. It is difficult to estimate the costs involved in setting up an additional WHC. In 2011-12, the financial provision for three WHCs is about $14.7 million.
(c) The quality and scope of service of the woman health service provided by WHCs and MCHCs are the same. To utilise the resources more effectively, the Government has no plan to separate woman health service from MCHCs at the moment.
Ends/Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:25
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