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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1978
FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR
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ABOUT 115 FORMER HONG KONG PRISONERS OF WAR HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT UNDER A GOVERNMENT SCHEME ENABLING THEM TO RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ADVISED TODAY THAT ELIGIBLE WAR VICTIMS WHO WISH TO AVAIL THEMSELVES TO THIS SCHEME BUT HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION SHOULD DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE DEPARTMENT'S HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS, AT CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREAS OR AT DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
UNDER THE SCHEME, MEDICAL BENEFITS ARE EXTENDED TO WIVES OR HUSBANDS OF THOSE ELIGIBLE WHO INCLUDE FORMER MEMBERS OF VARIOUS FORCES IMPRISONED OR INTERNED DURING THE BATTLE FOR HONG KONG OR DURING THE SUBSEQUENT ENEMY OCCUPATION.
AN ELIGIBLE PERSON MAY RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT AT THE OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF ANY GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL OR AT A GOVERNMENT CLINIC. IF HOSPITAL IN-PATIENT TREATMENT IS NECESSARY. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR TREATMENT BUT MAINTENANCE FEES WILL BE PAYABLE AT THE SAME RATE AS THOSE APPLICABLE TO CIVIL SERVANTS.
PERSONS ACCEPTED AS BEING ENTITLED TO BENEFIT UNDER THE SCHEME ARE ISSUED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WHICH THEY MUST PRESENT WHEN ATTENDING A GOVERNMENT CLINIC OR HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
WHEN THE SCHEME FIRST CAME INTO OPERATION, ELIGIBLE PERSONS WERE ENTITLED TO CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT OF HOSPITAL AND RELATED EXPENSES INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN APRIL 1, 1977 AND THE TIME OF THEIR REGISTRATION WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
NOW THAT THE SCHEME HAS BEEN OPERATING SMOOTHLY FOR OVER NINE MONTHS AND THERE IS NO BACKLOG OF APPLICATIONS AWAITING PROCESSING, CLAIMS FOR SUCH REIMBURSEMENT WILL NO LONGER BE ENTERTAINED IN FUTURE.
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