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Prevention is better than cure, says the old maxim. Nowhere is this more valid or effective than in the realm of public health. Illness or injuries sustained at the workplace, most of them avoidable with a little more awareness, precaution, and care, often result in absenteeism, loss of valuable man-hours, and needless rise in costs - physical, emotional and financial -- for the individual as well as industry. The Labour Department constantly strives to improve safety and health at the workplace through legislation, law enforcement, promotion, education, and training. Through the concerted efforts of all parties concerned - employers, employees, contractors, safety practitioners and the Government - Hong Kong's work safety and health performance has improved significantly. One of the department's most significant contributions is the establishment of two Occupational Health Clinics aiming at all the workers in Hong Kong. The first of these, the Kwun Tong Occupational Health Clinic, came into being in 1993. From small beginnings, the clinic's patronage and popularity grew steadily month by month, and year after year, that a second clinic was deemed both necessary and essential. That materialised in 2006 with the opening of the Fanling Occupational Health Clinic. Dr Chik Wai Chi, Senior Occupational Health Officer in charge of clinical services, is encouraged and upbeat about the impressive results achieved so far. "The number of clinical consultations had vastly increased from the average of around 8,000 to 9,000 between 2000 and 2005 to over 13,000 in 2007. This demonstrates that patients with work-related ailments or injuries can now receive our client-orientated services much sooner than ever before. Besides, I am glad to see a growing health awareness among workers who seek medical advice for their work-related health problems at an earlier stage." Dr Chik said. Here, according to the official, is how the system works in practice. When a patient first visits any of its clinics, his/her basic health parameters are measured and registered. These include the patient's blood pressure, pulse rate, body weight and height. Next is a simple and routine urine analysis. During the consultation, the occupational health officer will obtain from the patient a detailed medical history as well as a comprehensive occupational history for reference and record. Next will follow a thorough physical examination of the patient who may undergo a blood test and x-ray. After the diagnosis, medications are prescribed together with other treatment required, e.g. physiotherapy or occupational therapy. Where necessary, patients will also be referred to other specialists for further treatment and management. At the same time, the occupational health officer and nurse will also provide advice and counselling to the patients on measures against the recurrence of the complaints, to prevent the worsening of ailments and/or facilitate speedier recovery. Patients will also receive advice on the likelihood of cases involving prescribed occupational diseases In addition, the occupational health officer, if necessary, will also conduct a workplace assessment with the assistance of occupational hygienist. The aim of this assessment is to identify possible health hazards in the workplace, particularly those hazards that may trigger the work-related ailment of the workers. Once identified, the occupational health officer and occupational hygienist will deliver appropriate advice to the employer or supervisor on how best to improve the working conditions and thus help to minimise, if not eliminate altogether, health hazards at work. Clinic statistics for 2007 provide some valuable and revealing data about work-related ailments/injuries crucial to the future and success of the occupational health scheme. The highlights are: In 2007, a total of 3,043 new patients sought consultation at the Labour Department's occupational health clinics. Among them 2,588 or 85% suffered from diseases/injuries caused by, related to or aggravated by work. Of the 2,588 new patients, 1. Around 32% were service personnel,
while 24% were clerical and related personnel Reminder for clinic visitors:
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