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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, today (September 15) visited an elderly community centre and a support services centre for the ethnic minorities to learn more about support services for the elderly and ethnic minorities and listen to views from the service providers and users on further improvement of their services.
In Po Leung Kuk Lau Chan Siu Po District Elderly Community Centre in Lam Tin, Mr Tang looked at interest groups organised by the Centre, including music performance, calligraphy and painting, tai chi and computer. He also talked to some of the elderly people about their daily lives and listened to their views and concerns about healthcare, community support and welfare services.
"In view of the ageing population in Hong Kong, we are facing increasing demand for support services for the elderly in future," Mr Tang said. "The Government has to closely assess the impact of this demographic trend on healthcare and welfare services provision. We need to formulate corresponding policies and measures to optimise the use of public resources to encourage age at home, enhance residential care service, continue to improve our healthcare services and strengthen other support initiatives. We want to raise the quality of lives of the elderly and give them a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a sense of health and worth."
"I am pleased to have the opportunity to talk face to face to the elderly and get first-hand information about their needs. This would be useful reference when we consider new policy initiatives to support our elderly citizens," said Mr Tang.
The Po Leung Kuk Lau Chan Siu Po District Elderly Community Centre was set up in 2005 and funded by a lump sum grant from the Social Welfare Department. It provides integrated support services to the elderly at district level and helps them integrate into the community as they age. The Centre has a membership of over 2,000 and offers services such as outreach service, social and recreational activities, and counselling services.
Mr Tang then visited a support services centre for the ethnic minorities, HOPE Centre, to inspect its facilities and services. Mr Tang talked to the ethnic minorities at the Centre to get a better understanding of the support they need in their studies and daily lives in Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city and we share the values of diversity and harmony. People of different ethnicities are an integral part of Hong Kong and they should be encouraged to build their home and lead a decent life here," Mr Tang said. "The Government will continue to step up collaboration with non-governmental organisations to promote integration of ethnic minorities into the community and build a harmonious and multicultural society."
Mr Tang also encouraged students at the Centre to acquire skills which help them integrate into the society while preserving their cultural identities.
Established in May 2009, the International Social Service - Hong Kong Branch HOPE Centre is subsidised by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The centre offers a wide range of services such as language and computer classes, personal development, job hunting training, tutorial classes and various social activities. In its first year, some 4,200 people participated in activities organised by the Centre. The Centre also joins hand with schools, community groups and religious organisations to reach out to the ethnic minority communities.
Ends/Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:00
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