XN000022-1991-11-06 — Page 47

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1991

"WE WILL REVAMP THE STUDENT MEDICAL SERVICE ΤΟ EMPHASIZE DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION, SHE SAID.

"CONCURRENTLY, WE AIM TO STRENGTHEN THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE.

"WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE HEALTH FOR ALL AND ALL FOR HEALTH

BY THE YEAR 2000."

TURNING TO CARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, MRS WONG SAID THE POLICY WAS ΤΟ HELP THE ELDERLY THROUGH DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND AN UMBRELLA OF COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICE.

"I INTEND TO RECONVENE THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE IN ORDER TO REASSESS THE GRAVITY OF THE PRESENT SITUATION AND DEVISE NEW STATEGIES, IF NECESSARY," SHE SAID.

A NEW SCHEME HAS JUST BEEN LAUNCHED TO PROVIDE HOSTELS IN URBAN DISTRICT FOR SINGLE ELDERLY PERSONS WHO ARE IN NEED OF HOUSING, PARTICULARLY STREET SLEEPERS AND BEDSPACE APARTMENT LODGERS.

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REGARDING ELDERLY PERSONS IN PRIVATE HOMES, MRS WONG SAID A BILL WOULD SOON BE INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE FOR A LICENSING SYSTEM OF PRIVATE HOMES SO THAT ADEQUATE STANDARDS COULD BE MAINTAINED.

DAY

ON HEALTH CARE, SHE HOPED TO ESTABLISH MORE GERIATRIC HOSPITALS AND TO EXPAND INFIRMARIES AND OTHER SERVICES INCLUDING DOMICILIARY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES.

HEALTH SCREENING FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD BE INTRODUCED ON A PILOT BASIS, SHE ADDED.

THE COMING YEAR WILL ALSO SEE THE PUBLICATION OF A GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION.

"WE WILL DEFINE THE GOALS OF OUR REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE NEXT DECADE AND BEYOND," SHE SAID. "OUR AIM IS TO HELP DISABLED PERSONS TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENT AND POTENTIAL, AND TO PARTICIPATE AS EQUAL PARTNERS IN REGULAR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.

*

ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, MRS WONG SAID THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM $7.2 BILLION IN 1987-88 TO $16.6 BILLION THIS YEAR.

SHE SAID THE SHARE FOR THE WELFARE PROGRAMME ROSE FROM 5.9 PER CENT IN 1987-88 TO 6.1 PER CENT IN 1990-91.

THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR THE HEALTH PROGRAMME WERE 9.3 PER CENT AND 9.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

OVER

THE AVERAGE ANNUAL REAL GROWTH FOR THE WELFARE PROGRAMME THE SAME PERIOD WAS 8.1 PER CENT WHILE THAT FOR THE HEALTH PROGRAMME, 8.35 PER CENT. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WAS 5.2 PER CENT.

ON THE

WHICH IS

PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM, MRS WONG SAID: "WE NEED ΤΟ PUT REFORMS IN PLACE TO ACHIEVE AT ONCE A PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM MORE PRODUCTIVE, EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE."

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