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Feasts for the Elderly cum Kick-off Ceremony of the Mobile Dental Clinics of the Kwai Tsing Signature Project Scheme held (with photos)
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     The Feasts for the Elderly cum Kick-Off Ceremony of the Mobile Dental Clinics of the Kwai Tsing Signature Project Scheme was held today (March 1) at the hard-surface soccer pitches at Kwai Chung Sports Ground.

     The Kwai Tsing Signature Project is the first project launched under the Signature Project Scheme in Hong Kong. The Kwai Tsing District Council (K&TDC) has engaged Yan Chai Hospital and the Kwai Tsing Safe Community and Healthy City Association as its partners to provide a series of community healthcare services to residents with an allocation of $100 million. The mobile dental clinics seek to raise public awareness of oral health and strengthen dental care services for the senior citizens in Kwai Tsing District.

     Officiating at the launch ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, said that the Kwai Tsing Signature Project caters for community needs. The project not only provides ocular and dental care services for senior citizens but also helps promote a healthy lifestyle in the district.

     Mrs Lam added that the Government has been dedicated to providing community support for elderly persons, including a comprehensive range of public medical services as well as the introduction of the Elderly Health Care Voucher of $2,000 per year, the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities, and the Elder Academy. As outlined in the 2016 Policy Address, the Government will build an age-friendly environment with a host of measures, such as the enhancement of barrier-free access to public walkways under the Universal Accessibility Programme, the construction of covers on suitable major walkways and the addition of chairs at bus stops, as well as the provision of additional priority seats, elderly fitness equipment and reading aids in government leisure venues and public libraries. She said more resources will be allocated to the District Councils for implementing age-friendly initiatives at the district level.

     She thanked the Kwai Tsing District Council, businesses, the local community, volunteers and charitable institutions for their staunch support for the project. She also encouraged people and organisations in the district to keep up concerted efforts in building a caring community.

     Mrs Lam took the opportunity to visit the mobile dental clinics to learn more about the services and the equipment on board. Two mobile dental clinics will provide services to residents aged 60 or above in the district starting in mid-March to enable more needy elderly persons to receive necessary dental services.

     The Feasts for the Elderly were held after the launch ceremony to promote the spirit of care and mutual help in the district.

     In addition to the mobile dental clinics, the Kwai Tsing Signature Project also includes the provision of ocular examination services, a seasonal influenza vaccination programme, community health care services and health education seminars.

     Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Chairman of the K&TDC, Mr Law King-sing; the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Alan Lo; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Dental Association, Dr Sigmund Leung; the Chairlady of the Board of Directors of Yan Chai Hospital, Ms Vanessa Lam; and the Chairlady of the K&TDC Festivals Working Group and the Cheung On Women's Association, Ms Tam Wai-chun. The Yan Chai Charity Star, Nancy Sit, also attended to show her support and witness the launch of the mobile dental clinics with over 4 000 elderly persons.

     For details of the Kwai Tsing Signature Project, please visit www.kwaitsingsps.org.hk .

Ends/Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:58

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