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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, visited Yau Tsim Mong District this afternoon (March 14) to familiarise himself with the elderly health-care services and public market facilities in the district, and to exchange views with District Councillors on local affairs under his purview.
Dr Ko first visited the Salvation Army's Mong Kok Integrated Service for Senior Citizens Hoi Yu Day Care Centre for Senior Citizens to see services provided by the centre to the elderly in the district, which include personal care, treatment and rehabilitation services. Dr Ko was glad to learn that the centre has participated in the Pilot Project on Outreach Primary Dental Care Services for the Elderly in Residential Care Homes and Day Care Centres. Under the Pilot Project, free outreach primary dental care and oral health care services are being provided to the elderly in the centre.
The Government launched the Pilot Project in collaboration with non-government organisations for a period of three years starting from April 2011. Free on-site primary dental care services, including dental check-up, scaling, polishing and any other necessary pain relief and emergency dental treatments are provided to the elderly concerned. Oral care training programmes are given to caregivers of the residential care homes and day care centres concerned. Oral health education activities such as seminars and talks are also held for the elderly concerned, their family members and caregivers. The Pilot Project will cover attendance of more than 100 000, benefiting some 80 000 elderly in residential care homes and day care centres.
Dr Ko then proceeded to the Yau Ma Tei Market and chatted with stall operators and local residents to hear their views on the further improvement of public market services. Dr Ko concluded his visit at a meeting with Yau Tsim Mong District Councillors, with whom he exchanged views and suggestions on how to improve services in health, food safety and environmental hygiene.
Ends/Thursday, March 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:27
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