September 19, 2001
The Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong was told today (September 19) that 95 per cent of local births and 49 per cent of pregnant women received health promotion and disease prevention services provided by the Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) of the Department of Health (DH).
Dr Yeoh was continuing his series of visits to DH to have a first-hand look at the plans and activities of the Department.
Accompanied by the Assistant Director of Health (Personal Health Services), Dr Regina Ching, and the Principal Medical Officer (Family Health Service) of DH, Dr Shirley Leung, the Secretary visited the Sai Wan Ho Maternal and Child Health Centre on the 2nd Floor of Sai Wan Ho Health Centre, 28 Tai Hong Street, Hong Kong.
Dr Yeoh chatted with young mothers and their babies and had an exchange of views with health care staff of the Centre.
The Secretary noted that DH actively promotes and supports breastfeeding -- the best form of nutrition for infants -- and implements a breastfeeding policy to facilitate the creation of a supportive environment and ensure uniform practice among MCHC staff in the promotion of breastfeeding.
Although the ever breastfeeding rate on discharge from hospital had steadily increased from 21 per cent in 1990 to 55 per cent in 2000, mothers who can sustain breastfeeding for over six months are relatively few. In the year 2000, only about one in one hundred nursing mothers still continue to breast feed their babies after six months.
According to DH's Annual Breastfeeding Survey in 1999 and 2000, about one-third of mothers stopped breastfeeding when they returned to work.
The MCHCs organise workshops for working mother just before they return to work. Information on how to express and store breastmilk is given with a view to encouraging working mothers to sustain breastfeeding.
Moreover, DH will be producing an education kit containing information on a comprehensive range of topics related with breastfeeding. The aim is to enhance community awareness and to educate the public on breastfeeding. A leaflet "Especially for Employers" gives recommendations to employers on how to create a baby-friendly workplace.
Services provided by 50 MCHCs located throughout the territory mainly covered three main areas -- child health, maternal health and family planning. Promotion of breastfeeding is a major component of both child health and maternal health promotion.
Services are provided free of charge except for family planning services which charge a nominal rate of $1 per attendance.
An immunization programme is implemented to protect infants and children up to five years old from nine childhood infectious diseases, namely tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, measles, rubella and mumps.
Physical examination and monitoring of growth and development are conducted regularly. Children with suspected abnormalities are referred to the Child Assessment Service or the relevant specialist clinic for further management.
For maternal health, expectant mothers undergo routine blood testing, physical examination and individual health advice and counseling. Regular antenatal health talks and workshops are also organised.
Postnatal service is available to all mothers after delivery. Medical check-up and contraceptive advice are given.
The family planning service advises on the choice and proper use of contraceptives. In addition, regular physical examinations including cervical cancer screening are performed.
Regarding improvement measures, woman health services currently provided in the woman health centres will be extended to five MCHCs by the end of this year. In addition, a mass cervical cancer screening programme is being developed.