XN000022-1995-03-22 — Page 42

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Home help services to AIDS patients

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Following is a question by Dr the Hon Lam Kui-shing and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In view of the refusal of home helpers in some government-subvented organisations to attend to AIDS patients, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

what short-term measures are in place to cope with the situation;

whether there is any concrete plan to enhance the home helpers' understanding of AIDS; if so, what the details are and what is the timetable for its implementation; and

whether the Government has reviewed the appropriateness and adequacy of the present educational work in promoting the understanding of AIDS; if so, what the result of the review is; if not, when such a review will be conducted?

Answer:

(a)

(b)

Home help services are provided by government-subvented organisations. It is known that some home helpers have expressed a reluctance to deal with AIDS patients. Efforts are, therefore, being stepped up to enhance home helpers' understanding of AIDS through briefings and seminars with a view to preparing them for providing services to needy AIDS patients.

In conjunction with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Social Welfare Department will implement the following measures to reinforce training and support for home help staff -

Pamphlets on AIDS resource centres will be issued to home help staff next month so that they know where to seek advice and information on AIDS directly.