XN000022-1993-10-13 — Page 17

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993

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MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE MUST BB

EDUCATION.

"WE BELIEVE THAT STEPPING UP PUBLIC EDUCATION, AS WE ARE WILL CULTIVATE A BALANCED ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ROLE OF WOMEN AND MEN IN SOCIETY.

DOING,

HE

"IN THIS REGARD, THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER AND TODAY'S MOTION DEBATE ARE MOVES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," CONCLUDED.

HEALTH CARE REFORM

-

A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAS A GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WITH TURN AWAY" POLICY, THERE IS A NEED TO REFORM THE STRUCTURE SO MAKE IT BETTER.

A

"NO AS ΤΟ

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, WHEN REPLYING TO COMMENTS BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT "TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH" IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.

MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE REASON FOR THE HEALTHCARE REFORM WAS SIMPLE.

POPULATION,

SHE SAID: "ANY RESPONSIBLE AND CARING GOVErnment CANNOT BLIND ITSELF TO ESCALATING MEDICAL COSTS, THE NEEDS OF AN AGING THE CHANGING ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND NOT REACT.

"WE IN HONG KONG ARE MORE FORTUNATE IN THAT WE HAVE THE CHANCE DIAGNOSE OUR SYMPTOMS EARLY AND ACT TO PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING WORSE. IT IS NOT RADICAL SURGERY, BUT PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.

ΤΟ

"THIS IS

PRECISELY WHAT WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO IN PUTTING FORWARD POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR CHANGE.

"

THUS, SHE STRESSED, THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WAS NOT ABOUT FEE INCREASE BUT ABOUT STRUCTURAL CHANGE.

MRS WONG BELIEVED THAT CHANGE TO THE HEALTH CARE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION FROM PROVIDERS, PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC.

SYSTEM MUST POLITICIANS,

IT MUST ALSO BE A GRADUAL, STEP-BY-STEP IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION.

PROCESS OF

"I ASK THAT WE FACE UP TO THE NEED FOR CHANGE. I ASK THAT WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS, SHE SAID.

I

A

"OUR SYSTEM IS NOT SO MUCH ONE WHICH IS PEGGED TO COSTS. IT IS SYSTEM WHICH IS PEGGED TO THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE, SHE

**

ADDED.

SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT, MORE 300 REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.

THAN

/STAFF OF