Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ14: Woman health services
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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Table 1