XN000022-1989-07-14 — Page 17

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FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1989

MR GREWAL WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF.

HE LATER MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE OFFICERS GRADE ASSOCIATION AND THE DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO STAFF WELFARE AND CAREER PROSPECTS.

CLINIC HELPERS COURSE FOR VBP

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ΟΙ

THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) IS ORGANISING A SERIES CLINIC HELPERS TRAINING COURSES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AT VARIOUS DETENTION CENTRES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR AMS SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSES IS TWO-FOLD,

"IT IS HOPED THAT THOSE TRAINED WILL BE ASSIGNED TO CLINICS IN THEIR OWN CENTRES WHERE THEY WILL WORK UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION OF CLINIC STAFF, THUS EASING THE STRAIN ON THE AMS, HE SAID.

"THE SCHEME ALSO AIMS TO ENABLE VBP TO IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON HYGIENE AND TO SPEND THEIR TIME MORE MEANINGFULLY."

THE FIRST COURSE, IN WHICH 20 VBP AT THE WHITEHEAD CENTRE TOOK PART, HAS JUST BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.

A SIMILAR COURSE WILL START CENTRE ON MONDAY TO BE FOLLOWED BY CENTRES.

AT THE COURSES

DETENTION

SHAM SHUI PO DETENTION AT OTHER VBP DETENTION

AT PRESENT ABOUT 100 MEMBERS OF AMS ARE DEPLOYED DAILY ΤΟ VARIOUS SICK BAYS AND CLINICS INSIDE VBP DETENTION CENTRES OR REFUGEE CENTRES TO AUGMENT THE REGULAR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.

THE INCREASING NUMBER OF VBP ARRIVING IN HONG KONG, TIE SPOKESMAN SAID, HAS PUT A STRAIN ON AMS'S MANPOWER RESOURCES.

THE COURSES WERE ORGANISED AFTER A RECENT VISIT TO THE LO WU AND WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRES BY THE AMS COMMISSIONER, DR S.H. LEE.

DURING THE VISIT, DR LEE SAW FOR HIMSELF THE MEDICAL COVERAGE PROVIDED BY AMS TO VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AND CHATTED WITH AMS MEMBERS WHO PROVIDE TRAINED ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE REGULAR MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE DETENTION CENTRES.

TRYING

HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE HIGH MORALE OF AMS MEMBERS AND THE WAY THEY GO ABOUT THEIR DUTIES, WHICH ARE OFTEN CARRIED OUT UNDER CONDITION.

/THE PRIMARY