XN000022-1972-06-28 — Page 12

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Wednesday, June 28, 1972

"All of us here," he recalled, "are sadly aware how, because

of other pressures and the relative urgency of other problems, these

unfortunates were formerly left to die. Today, they are hospitalised."

For this reason, it gave him great pleasure to declare Siu

Lam open, and he did so in the conviction that it would play a "key

role in the treatment of the severely mentally ill in our midst

The conscience of a progressive Hong Kong requires that we do all we

can for them."

Speaking earlier at the same ceremony, Dr. the Hon. G.H, Choa,

Director of Medical and Health Services, said Siu Lam would be receiving

its 200 patients in phases, to enable both the patients and the staff to

adjust themselves to their new environment,

The first group would be coming from the Tung Wah Hospital, and

the Po Leung Kuk, and they would be arriving in July. Other cases would

be admitted on the recommendation of an assessment team.

He thanked the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club for making Siu Lan

possible, and he recalled that in the last 20 years, no less than 19

government projects in the medical and health field had been completed

with donations from the Club, amounting in total to nearly $20 million.

Dr. Choa described Siu Lam Hospital as "a special case,

It and

its opening was "a manifestation of the Government's recognition of its

obligation to the most unfortunate section of the community.

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