CS visits Sichuan to discuss post-quake reconstruction works (with photos/videos)

CS visits Sichuan to discuss post-quake reconstruction works (with photos/videos)
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     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, today (November 6) inspected projects carried out by Hong Kong's non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in quake-hit areas of Sichuan. He also visited quake-stricken areas Deyang and Mianzhu.

     "In six more days it will be the memorial moment of the Sichuan earthquake six months ago. The weather is now starting to turn cold. Our main purpose on this visit is to get a better understanding of people's lives here, expressing a message of hope and warm support from Hong Kong people to people in Sichuan," Mr Tang said.

     This morning, Mr Tang visited the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Many rehabilitation experts were sent to West China Hospital by various NGOs, such as the Youth Foundation of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the "Stand Tall" Project of the Chinese Speaking Orthopaedics Society and the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation. They tailor-make prostheses for amputee victims, and help the victims adapt to new life with rehabilitation programmes on physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological counselling.

     Accompanying Mr Tang were members from the Working Group on Medical and Rehabilitation Services chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow.  The working group is one of the five units under the Steering Committee for Reconstruction in Sichuan Earthquake Stricken Areas.

     In West China Hospital, Mr Tang met a little girl, Xia Fengting. Little Fengting loves drawing, but lost her right arm in the earthquake. Being carefully attended to by medical staff from Hong Kong, Fengting was given a myoelectric hand. Mr Tang encouraged Fengting to do more practices and looked forward to seeing her new drawing by the myoelectric hand.

     Mr Tang arrived in Deyang, a hard-hit area, this afternoon. There are 20 reconstruction projects being carried out in the first stage by the HKSAR, and six of them are located in Deyang.

     Mr Tang visited the Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Service Centre organised by Hong Kong Red Cross and a disabled persons' association in Deyang. As the first centre set up on the Mainland to provide free prosthetic and rehabilitation services in the Sichuan quake-stricken areas, it provides one-stop integrated services to disabled people, including installation and maintenance of prostheses, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and psychological counselling. The comprehensive rehabilitation plans aim to enhance patients' ability for daily life and work. As at the end of October, more than 100 patients had received the rehabilitation services in the centre.

     Mr Tang praised the work of Hong Kong NGOs.  "Many Hong Kong NGOs have been carrying out practical work in the affected areas proactively, making contributions to reconstruction as well as helping the victims back to normal life." Mr Tang said.

     "We have set aside part of the trust fund for NGOs' application. We encourage NGOs to come forward and apply for the fund.  We will process the first batch of applications within this month."

     The Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr John Chan, visited students in Deyang.  They presented to the students stationery kits donated by the Jockey Club.

     "Students can only study in some temporarily-built cubicles since their schools collapsed. They, however, remain positive and optimistic despite the adverse circumstances. We are deeply impressed. The Jockey Club had decided to fund the construction of Deyang No 5 Middle School. The HKSAR is going to allocate funds to support the construction of Deyang No 1 Primary School. We hope those reconstruction projects will be completed as soon as possible, to create a better learning environment for the students," Mr Tang said.

     In Mianzhu, Mr Tang visited the elderly in a temporary social welfare centre. To echo the nationwide caring campaign, Mr Tang donated clothes to Mianzhu citizens on behalf of the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon.

     "The temperature is dropping in Sichuan so I encourage NGOs in Hong Kong to join us and warm the hearts of the victims," Mr Tang said.

     Mr Tang will continue his visit tomorrow (November 7) before returning to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

Ends/Thursday, November 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:26

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