XN000022-1993-01-15 — Page 10

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1993

"IN THIS LIGHT, OUR INITIAL VIEW IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE' OF SUPPORT AND COUNSELLING FOR PATIENTS.

"THE NETWORK OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG INCLUDING ALL THE PRIMARY AND TERTIARY CARE FACILITIES SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED AND CO-ORDINATED TO PROVIDE TREATMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING, HEALTH EDUCATION AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICE TO THE HIV INFECTED HAEMOPHILIACS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

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"THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BLOOD PRODUCTS FOR PATIENTS. WE SHOULD ALSO STEP UP PUBLIC EDUCATION BOTH ON PREVENTION OF AIDS AND TO REMOVE PUBLIC PREJUDICE AGAINST AIDS VICTIMS, HE SAID.

IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND TAKING REFERENCE FROM OVERSEAS PRACTICES, THE GOVERNMENT MAY CONSIDER, ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS, GIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ΤΟ HIV INFECTED HAEMOPITT LIACS, HE ADDED.

THE STUDY GROUP EXPECTS TO SUBMIT ITS INITIAL REPORT то THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WITHIN TWO MONTHS.

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PENSION SCHEMES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS MODERNISED * * * * *

THE PENSIONS MODIFICATION ORDINANCE 1993 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) WILL COME INTO FORCE ON FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.

THE ORDINANCE INTRODUCES THE FOLLOWING CHANGES ΤΟ MODERNISE PENSION SCHEMES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTER:

THE WIDOWS' AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME WILL BE RETITLED THE SURVIVING SPOUSES' AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME ;

*

MALE PENSTONABLE CIVIL SERVANTS MAY ELECT TO OPT OUT OF SURVIVING SPOUSES' AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME AND WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME FROM FEBRUARY 1;

THE THE

UNMARRIED

OFFICERS WHO ELECT TO CEASE CONTRIBUTION ΤΟ THE DEPENDANT PENS LON SCHEMES WILL RECEIVE A REFUND OF THEIR PAST CONTRIBUTIONS, WITH INTEREST, BEFORE THE APPOINTED DAY;

MARRIED OFFICERS WILL HAVE THEIR ACCRUED BENEFITS PRESERVED, AND THEIR DEPENDANTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY A CONTINGENT DEPENDANT PENSION FROZEN AT THE LEVEL IF AND WHEN THEY LEAVE THE SCHEME;

* FEMALE OFFICERS, MODEL SCALE I STAFF AND CERTAIN DISCIPLINED SERVICES OFFICERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN EXCLUDED, WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO JOIN THE VOLUNTARY SURVIVING SPOUSES' AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME;

/*THE PENSIONABLE

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