XN000022-1991-04-24 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991

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FINALLY I WOULD REITERATE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION FULLY ACCEPTS THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT PREJUDICING HONG KONG'S REGULATORY SYSTEM IN ORDER TO MEET THE WISHES OF ANY PARTICULAR PARTY OR PARTIES. AS I HAVE ALREADY INDICATED, WE WILL WISH TO BE FULLY SATISFIED THAT ANY PROPOSAL THAT EMERGES PROVIDES ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO INVESTORS, CONFERS NO UNFAIR ADVANTAGE AND MAINTAINS THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR REGULATORY SYSTEM. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT MUST THEN BE FOR THE COMPANIES CONCERNED TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WISH TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR LISTING IN HONG KONG ON THE BASIS IDENTIFIED AS ACCEPTABLE BY THE REGULATORS.

SIR, WITH THESE REMARKS, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.

EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION FOR THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE REPORT

THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO GIVE THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE COVERAGE THROUGH CONSULTATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

ON

EXTENSIVE ELIZABETH

HAD BEEN

A CO-ORDINATING GROUP SPECIFICALLY FOR THE EXERCISE SET UP JOINTLY BY THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO COLLATE PUBLIC OPINION UNTIL THE END OF JULY, SAID MRS WONG IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

"WE WELCOME VIEWS FROM ALL, SHE SAID.

MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF THE WORKING PARTY WAS THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRST STEP TOWARDS REDRESSING THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND SPECIALISED MEDICAL SERVICES AND TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS THROUGH HEALTH PROMOTION AND EDUCATION.

NOTING THAT FOR YEARS HONG KONG'S HEALTH SYSTEM WAS HIGHLY HOSPITAL-ORIENTED, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WITHI ITS STRONG EMPHASIS ON [[EALTH PROMOTION, DISEASE PREVENTION, CONTINUITY OF CARE AND REHABILITATION IN THE COMMUNITY, WITH DUE INVOLVEMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES,

NEITHER BEEN FULLY UNDERSTOOD, NOR APPRECIATED NOR DEVELOPED.

SHE

HAD

SAID THAT THE CONCEPT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AS THE BASIS OF A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, DISTINGUISHED FROM THE MORE EXPENSIVE AND MORE SPECIALISED MEDICAL SERVICES, HAD NOT RECEIVED ADEQUATE

ATTENTION.

MR3 WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY FELL BROADLY INTO TWO CATEGORIES : THOSE WHICH BUILT ON THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND EMPHASISED THE NEED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF SERVICES; AND THOSE WHICH REQUIRED A MAJOR REVAMPING OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM OR INITIATED A NEW APPROACH ALTOGETHER.

/HIGHLIGHTING THE