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The recommendations will require a total of $508 million to implement, including the $300 million already pledged by the Governor in his Policy Address last October. Subject to approval of funds by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, the new CSSA proposals will come into effect on April 1 this year.
On the health front, the Secretary reiterated the increasing importance Government placed on disease prevention and the promotion of good health practices. Of the $1.8 billion allocated to the Department of Health in 1996/97, over $800 million would be spent in these areas of activities.
To instil in the younger generation a new culture of taking responsibility for their own health, the Student Health Service will be extended to cover an additional 443.000 children, bringing the total number of students covered under this scheme to some 900.000.
On the Hospital Authority side, the Secretary noted that apart from the opening of 830 new beds in the coming year, five additional teams will be set up to look after various types of patients and elderly people. These include two rehabilitation co- ordination teams, one community geriatric assessment team and three psychogeriatric
teams.
In addition, a number of capital works projects to expand and develop some existing facilities will also be underway, these include the final phase of the Castle Peak Hospital redevelopment project at a cost of $850 million: construction of the Lai King Hospital and West Kowloon Medical Rehabilitation Centre at $1.03 billion: refurbishment of the Caritas Medical Centre at $500 million, and the reprovision of the specialist clinics in Sai Ying Pun and South Kwai Chung at $570 million.
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Chinese delegation to visit Hong Kong
A Chinese delegation led by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Guisheng, will visit Hong Kong from March 10 to 19, the Government announced today (Friday).
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