WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1986
55
SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR SERVICES AN OBLIGATION
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GOVERNMENT IS DULY OBLIGED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR MEDICAL SERVICES SO THAT NO ONE WILL BE UNABLE TO RECEIVE PROPER MEDICAL CARE DUE TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS, THE HON ROSANNA TAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE REPORT ON THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS, MRS TAM SAID ON COST RECOVERY IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MEDICAL SERVICES WERE COSTLY AND COULD NOT BE LEFT TO MARKET MECHANISM,
THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES, SHE ADDED, RELIED HEAVILY ON GOVERNMENT IN RESOURCE FUNDING, MANPOWER TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT.
SHE SAID: THERE IS NO SPECIFIC REQUEST IN THE REPORT FOR GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE ITS COMMITMENTS IN THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND BEAR THE HUGE EXPENSES OF IT.
+ON THE CONTRARY, IT FOCUSES ON EXTENDING AND RAISING CHARGES IN MEDICAL SERVICES.+
MRS TAM SAID SHE FELT THAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF A POSSIBLE CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT'S COMMITTED PHILOSOPHY IN MEDICAL PROVISION WARRANTED MORE ATTENTION.
SHE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE PERCENTAGE SHARE OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE HAD DROPPED THIS YEAR WHEN COMPARED WITH THAT IN 1971.
IT WAS PROJECTED THAT FOR THE COMING DECADE, POPULATION WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW WITH AN AGING POPULATION, THE ECONOMY WOULD CONTRACT AND THE NEED FOR MEDICAL SERVICES WOULD BE GREATER, SHE SAID.
+THEREFORE, GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT ONLY MAINTAIN ITS EXISTING LEVEL OF MEDICAL SERVICES, BUT ALSO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO RAISE THE STANDARDS, BOTH IN TERMS OF QUANTITY AND QUALITY.+
IN ADDITION, MRS TAM ALSO EXPRESSED RESERVATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF 'B' CLASS HOSPITAL BEDS AS PROPOSED IN THE REPORT.
+ IT IS MY OPINION, THAT THE INCREASE OF 'B' CLASS BEDS SHOULD OFFER BETTER HOSPITAL SERVICES TO THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD AND HENCE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECOVER MORE COSTS IN THEORY. THERE SHOULD, HOWEVER, BE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOSPITAL BEDS,+ SHE SAID.
/+AS LONG