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Following is the text of the opening remarks made by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the press conference on the Policy Agenda under the theme of "Caring and Just Society/ Enlightened People with a Rich Culture" today (January 11). Dr Yeoh joined the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur Li, and the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, in giving the press conference.
"The Chief Executive has announced on Wednesday the Policy Agenda under five guiding principles, one of which is 'Caring and Just Society'. Our vision for a 'Caring and Just Society' celebrates the rich diversity of our community, recognising that each individual is endowed with different strengths. We aim to create an environment in which all people get equal opportunities to develop their potential.
Harmonious families are conducive to the healthy development of individuals and families operate best in a caring society. Therefore, we will strengthen family solidarity and foster mutual care and support in the community, so that all individuals are embedded in a network of care and trust which provides them with opportunities to develop their potential and participate in social affairs.
The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau will continue to develop welfare services to assist the elders, people with disabilities, the unemployed and the vulnerable. We will seek to enhance their self-reliance, self-advancement and self-dignity while building a caring society.
We are committed to maintaining and strengthening family solidarity so as to promote family harmony. We will enhance services provided by the Department of Health and Social Welfare Department, which will join hands to implement programmes that are conducive to the citizen's life-long development of physical and psychological health. We will nurture children and young people so as to enable them to develop their full potential and become vigorous and responsible citizens. In providing rehabilitation services and assistance to people with disabilities, we aim to enhance opportunities for their self-exertion and integration into society.
We will continue to operate the $300 million Community Investment and Inclusion Fund to encourage mutual concern and aid and to build up society capital through implementing district or cross-sectoral projects.
The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau will also formulate strategies in promoting women's well-being and rights so as to create an enabling environment for the development of women's full potential.
On food safety and environmental hygiene, we will develop a multi-pronged strategy to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks and improve measures and laws related to food safety.
On safeguarding public health, we will brief the Health Services Panel of Legislative Council on our anti-smoking proposals early this year. We will also protect the public from misleading or untruthful health claims through amendments to the Undesirable Medical Advertisement Ordinance and the development of a regulatory framework on the supply and use of medical devices.
The afore-mentioned are only some of the initiatives that we are going to implement. A more detailed list of other new and ongoing initiatives can be inspected in the Policy Agenda booklet."
End/Saturday, January 11, 2003
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