*************************************
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited a family and two integrated service centres in Sham Shui Po this afternoon (December 6) to better understand the welfare needs of local residents.
Accompanied by the District Social Welfare Officer (Sham Shui Po) of the Social Welfare Department, Mrs Elaine Yue Liu Mai-yee, Mr Cheung first visited a family of four who live in a private cubicle of an old tenement building.
He observed the living conditions of the tenement flat and had a chat with the family to learn about their daily routine and needs. Mr Leung, the 95-year-old family head, and his wife, who came to Hong Kong from the Mainland a few years ago, expressed concern about their living conditions and were looking forward to compassionate re-housing.
Mr Cheung then toured the International Social Service - Hong Kong Branch Sham Shui Po (South) Integrated Family Service Centre to see a range of support services offered for single parents. The chief executive of the organisation, Mr Stephen H B Yau, also briefed him on other services provided by the centre, including services for new arrivals.
Afterwards, the Secretary visited the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Yu Mak Yuen Integrated Services Centre where he was received by the chairman of the group, Mr Peter Ong Ka-lueng. Mr Cheung was briefed on the various activities organised for youths, women and the elderly.
After the visit, Mr Cheung said the government "is committed to improving the well-being of the residents in older districts of Hong Kong". He commended the International Social Service and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals for their efforts in furthering the same cause by providing a wide range of social services to those in need.
Ends/Thursday, December 6, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:36
NNNN
