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SCMP Reporter

ABOUT one-third of primary students suffer health problems, it was revealed yesterday.

  At yesterday's Legislative Council health panel, officials said more than 30 per cent of young pupils who had attended government clinics had problems including poor eyesight, weight and psychological problems.

  Since September, 10,000 students had visited the government clinics, said the Director of Health Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun.

  Mrs Chan said the number of primary students joining the new Student Health Service had exceeded expectations.

  Of the 470,000 students, 86 per cent had enrolled in the service. The Government had expected only 40 to 60 per cent.

  The new service, which replaces the 31-year-old Student Medical Service, provides free health checks and refers pupils to a government doctor or specialist.

  But legislators said the new service was inadequate. The old system had provided subsidised private consultations and medicine.

  Democrat Dr Yeung Sum said poorer parents would be unhappy with the new system because they would now have to pay medical fees.

  Chan Yuen-han, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said the new service should have been added to the old scheme.

  'When reviewing the old Student Medical Service last year, parents wanted to improve, rather than abolish it,' she said.

    Ms Chan said the new service would put pressure on government out-patient services if students were referred to government doctors.

  A review of the new service will be handed to Legco in February.



30pc of young pupils suffer poor health