NNNN
ZCZC LTX004 261359 DXC273
Y TWX
1835: PROHONGA ID LONDON TWO:
GIS 395/80 (ADD)
YCX454 26-1335 YHN131
THE GROUP ENDORSED THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY THAT THE REFUGEES SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN BETTER FACILITIES THAN THOSE PROVIDED TO THE HONG KONG POPULATION, BUT THAT THEY SHOULD NEVERTHELESS BE TREATED HUMANELY.
THE GROUP RECOGNISED, HOWEVER, THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE IN 1979 WERE ESSENTIALLY AN EMERGENCY RELIEF OPERATION. NOW THAT THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES REMAINING IN HONG KONG, ALBEIT STILL HIGH, HAS SEEN REDUCED TO MORE MANAGEABLE PROPORTIONS, SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN FACILITIES ARE DESIRABLE IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED LAST YEAR.
THE GROUP HAS PUT FORWARD, A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS DIRECTION.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT SPECIAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO REFUGEE CHILDREN UNDER SEVEN YEARS OF AGE, WHO ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO DISEASE.
THIS IS TO BE ACHIEVED THROUGH DETAILED MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF YOUNG CHILDREN VERY SOON AFTER ARRIVAL AND THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC
IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME.
OUTPATIENT CLINIC FACILITIES IN CAMPS SHOULD ALSO BE IMPROVED WITH THE FURTHER ASSISTANCE OF VOLUNTEER MEDICAL PERSONNEL FROM OVERSEAS ARRANGED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
FURTHERMORE, THE GROUP HAS RECOMMENDED A MORE GENEROUS ALLOCATION OF LIVING SPACE IN CAMPS TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDING.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE DESIGNED NOT ONLY TO ENSURE THE HEALTH OF THE REFUGEES BUT ALSO TO PREVENT HONG KONG'S MEDICAL FACILITIES
FROM BEING UNDULY STRETCHED.
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