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A Department of Health (DH) campaign started today (April 10) to bring home to the public the message of partnership with family doctors and other primary care providers for better health.
The territory-wide drive entitled Primary Care Campaign comprises a series of health promotion and publicity activities to enhance public knowledge and understanding of the importance of primary care. Primary care is the first contact point of the healthcare system for individuals and families. It provides easily accessible, comprehensive, continuing, co-ordinated and person-centred care to members of the community.
As one of the primary care initiatives, a web-based Primary Care Directory giving details about the personal and practice information of doctors and dentists was launched at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk to help the public choose their family doctor and dentist. The goal of the campaign is to promote the concept of the family doctor as health partner for life.
Over 1,000 doctors and dentists have enrolled in the Directory. Other healthcare professionals such as Chinese medicine practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals will be invited to join the Directory in phases.
A web-based version of the reference frameworks for two common chronic diseases, namely diabetes mellitus and hypertension, were also issued as common reference for healthcare professionals and the public in managing these diseases and preventing their possible complications.
Addressing the launching ceremony, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to promote primary care in Hong Kong.
Dr Chow said the campaign launched today would help deepen public understanding on how people can team up with healthcare professionals as health partners.
"Your participation and support for primary care are important. Visit this user-friendly Primary Care Directory now to find a family doctor and dentist that suit your needs, and share it with your relatives and friends so that more people can enjoy better health," he said.
With community consensus and the support of the healthcare sector, the Government has been enhancing primary care in Hong Kong over the years. Last year, the Government published a web-based version of the Primary Care Development Strategy Document setting out the benefits of good primary care as well as the major strategies and pathways of action for developing primary care in Hong Kong.
Also present at the launching ceremony, co-organised by the Department of Health and Radio Television Hong Kong, were members of the Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee, Working Group on Primary Care and its Task Forces, representatives from various healthcare organisations, healthcare professionals, academics, patient groups and patients who shared their personal experience of the importance of family doctors to one's health.
For more information on primary care and its initiatives, the public can visit the website of DH's Primary Care Office at www.pco.gov.hk.
Ends/Sunday, April 10, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:58
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