LCQ15 : Healthy City project in Tseung Kwan O

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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, in the Legislative Council today (May 17):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council whether :

(a) it knows the details of the "Healthy City" project in Tseung Kwan O;

(b) it has assessed if the project, with its multi-disciplinary approach, is effective in promoting public health; and

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The "Healthy City" Project aims to develop shared vision and common goal among the residents of Tseung Kwan O to create a healthy living environment for the local community based on the concepts of health promotion and prevention, through multi-sectoral collaboration and community participation. A multi-discipinary Steering Committee, comprising representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions as well as government departments, health care providers and community leaders, was set up in May 1999 to formulate strategies and to oversee the implementation of the Project. Major programmes organised under the Project include the "Tseung Kwan O - Healthy City Week" launched during 9-16 January 2000, New Women's Health Project 1999 and a 3-year "Healthy Schools" programme to promote holistic health among students, teachers and parents in the district. Activities organised include exhibitions and forum on health promotion, health screening and inter-school competitions. This year, the Committee plans to launch a programme called "Community Diagnosis", which will seek to identify the major health problems of the Tseung Kwan O community. On the basis of the findings, a City Health Plan on implementation strategy and priorities will be formulated for public consultation.

(b) Programmes organised by the Steering Committee have gained strong support of the local community. The "Tseung Kwan O - Healthy City Week", for instance, recorded an attendance in the region of 10 000. The Project, which is at an early stage of its development, has already aroused the awareness of the Tseung Kwan O residents of the importance of health. Through a co-ordinated approach, resources of various organizations and government departments in the district can be more effectively mobilized to promote public health in the community in the longer term.

(c) The "Healthy City" Project in Tseung Kwan O and another similar project named "Hygienic, Healthy and Dynamic City" to be organized in Wan Chai later this month have received funding support for some of their activities through the District Council (DC) funding mechanism. Request for funding similar projects in future will be considered by the DC on a case by case basis having regard to the merits of the individual applications and along with other applications for DC funds. Appropriate activities can also be funded by the Health Care and Promotion Fund.

End/Wednesday, May 17, 2000

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