OXFAM
樂施會
Birth is the only means of entry to the open centre, so even with only a very small number of resettlement places available, the population will gradually reduce. The government is considering how to speed up the process (see Resettlement) but a dramatic fall in numbers is unlikely, and the 28 per cent reduction of the past 18 months may not be matched in the next 18 months.
So conditions at Kaitak are still a concern, and we draw attention to two specific problems.
1. Medical Expenses
The medical centre at Kaitak has been downgraded to a first aid post and is open only from 9am to 4pm. Refugees can go out to use the same government medical facilities as Hong Kong citizens, but because they do not hold a Hong Kong ID card they are charged overseas visitors' rates.
A local citizen is charged $12 per consultation, which includes any drugs, dressings or injections. A refugee must pay $65, which includes drugs but not dressings or injections.
This discrimination can be a considerable burden for a refugee family and should be removed.
2. Further Education
The New Horizons School at Kaitak is widely recognised as doing a good job, but its focus is on primary education. Provision for older children is limited.
Refugees are now eligible to take Hong Kong public exams, but they are still barred by law from attending educational institutions outside the centre. This restriction should be relaxed, to allow older children and adults from Kaitak to continue learning outside the centre.
If a refugee can acquire new skills it may increase his or her chance of resettlement, and it will certainly help him or her to build a new life, in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
There is no question of refugees being given preference over local people. The suggestion is simply that refugees from Kaitak should be able to compete for places in secondary and further education, provided that they are qualified and can pay the fees. Numbers are likely to be small.
Principal Assistant Secretary for Security Nigel French told us that he did not see any difficulty with this, so we hope to see the policy changed.
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