XN000022-1986-11-12 — Page 18

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1986

SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN PRESENT POLICY

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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ADDRESS ITSELF TO THE PROBLEM OF THE ELDERLY AND DRAW UP A NEW POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THEM, DR THE HON CONRAD LAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THERE WERE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE PRESENT POLICY AS WELL AS IN THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID.

DR LAM SAID IT SEEMED THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS CARRYING OUT A REVIEW OF POLICY SOME VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE TOTALLY IGNORANT OF IT.

IT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES, HE SAID.

HE SUGGESTED THAT A CENTRAL COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP TO FORMULATE POLICY.

DR LAM SAID THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OLD PEOPLE WHO HAD BECOME PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND REQUIRED LONG-TERM TREATMENT. THE MEAGRE SUM PROVIDED BY DISABILITY AND INFIRMARY ALLOWANCES AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GENERALLY COULD NOT SATISFY THEIR NEEDS.

HE FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET UP A COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES SCHEME AND PROVIDE REGULAR MEDICAL CHECK-UPS AND HEALTH EDUCATION FOR OLD PEOPLE, SO AS TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND TO PROTECT THEM FROM ILLNESS.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY IMPROVE THE PRESENT SITUATION UNDER WHICH GERIATRIC WARDS ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR A SMALL PORTION OF THE ENTIRE MEDICAL PROGRAMME. THERE WAS AN URGENT DEMAND, HE SAID.

DAY TREATMENT FACILITIES IN HOSPITALS AND CLINICS SHOULD BE EXPANDED, AND THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE SHOULD BE REINFORCED.

COMMUNITY NURSING, ESPECIALLY PHYSIOTHERAPY, WAS VERY IMPORTANT,

HE SAID.

LASTLY, DR LAM BELIEVED THAT THE SETTING UP OF A SATISFACTORY CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD HELP RELIEVE FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURES ON THEM.

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