Bulletin Vol. 8 No. 3 Oct 1971

of the youth population according to their vocation and employment should be, I think, quite readily understood, for among these young people we find the potential intellectuals, the trained technologists and the skilled labourers who are essential for any form of national development. And if the welfare and interests of people in various trades and industries are protected by labour laws and regulations and their health safeguarded by an industrial health service, then surely university students equally deserve a health service for themselves. In accordance with the principle of academic independence, nearly all University health services are operated by the University authorities, within the University's budget, and outside of the framework of the national health service, though often subvented or aided by Government. Perhaps this is a convenient point for me to assure you, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, that all of us in the Medical and Health Department will onl y be too glad to give your Director and his staff any help that they may require. To say that because there is inevitably a morbidity rate in any community, measures to treat and prevent diseases must therefore be instituted, is an over-simplified interpretation of the functions of a University health service. By far the greater contribution it can make is the alleviation of various kinds of physical and mental effects on a group of young people, who from the first day they enter University, are subjected to the relentless forces of all sorts of stress and strain. It has often been said that a University student has to undergo a kind of change of life. Initially he may experience difficulties in adapting himself in his new surroundings and almost certainly, he has to modif y his eating, sleeping and living habits. Being away from home, or changing from rural to urban life, would further aggravate the situation. Under such circumstances, the y commonly have symptomatic complaints, which in some instances may indeed precede actual organic diseases. For a period of a few years, he has to study, take examinations, make fiery speeches, draw posters, stage demonstrations, worry about dates and even contemplate marriage. The emotional impact of exposure t o a different climate in which the mind is preoccupied by not only scholastic work but problems existing in the outside world can be a tremendous one for someone who realises the value of a University life and wishes to obtain maximum benefit out of it. It is because of the significance of the mental problems and their effects on the students that the functions of a University healt h service have now been given a new emphasis. I n the 4th Asian Health Conference which I mentioned early on, the social role of a University Health Service and the social, psychological and adjustment problem of students dominated the discussions. Furthermore, in many campuses nowadays, there is what is known as student unrest. Although there must be many causes to account for this phenomenon, I have always hoped that i t is not so much a symptom indicating the deterioration of the general behaviour trait of this younger generation but a sign of awakening that they must associate themselves wit h the outstanding social problems of the day. Social counselling therefore is now an important comsideration in the management of student affairs. However, as their psychological and social problems often occur together, and both are causes of disturbances of the mind and body, advice and guidance to students by the social counsellor is preferably given in consultation with the medical staff in the University Healt h Service. The doctors in such a service should therefore be familiar with the common manifestations of psychiatric disorders , as well as the duties of a health office r so as to carry out regular preventive measures. Ideally, thei r assistants should include social workers in addition to nursing and paramedical personnel. It is interesting work for all, as it is in fact a form of group medical practice, somewhat more specialised only because of the predominance of young people in the panel of patients. I have no doubt, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, that your University Health Service will grow from strength to strength because I can speak for the quality of your staff from personal knowledge. Now that it has emerged in all its magnificence, this Health Centre will always stand as a monument to all those who have worked long and hard to bring it into existence. To the people who will staff it and others who will be treated in it, I offer them my very best wishes. Finally, may I thank you again, Mr. Vice- Chancellor, for the honour you have accorded me. (See also pictures in Chinese section) - 8 -