The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (September 24) officially opened the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre (DHC), the first DHC in Hong Kong.  

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mrs Lam said that to ensure the long-term and sustainable development of the public healthcare system and to protect public health, the Government has stressed over the years that it is important to promote the development of primary healthcare. The commissioning of the DHC is a step forward in changing Hong Kong's public healthcare system. 

     "Kwai Tsing is the first among the 18 districts in this aspect. We plan to introduce primary healthcare services of different scales in the remaining 17 districts before the end of the current-term Government in June 2022, in a bid to establish a prevention-centred primary healthcare system in the long run," said Mrs Lam. 

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said "The DHC is a key component of the primary healthcare system. Through its NGO operator and a private service network in the community, DHC services will focus on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. The DHC will offer people-oriented primary healthcare services to residents in the district, regardless of their age and health condition."

     Professor Chan noted that the DHC would become a district primary healthcare hub comprising a core centre serving as the headquarters, supplemented by sub-district satellite centres and a network of multi-disciplinary teams providing multiple access and service points. The DHC would co-ordinate with community partners providing social welfare and healthcare services in the district, and make referrals as necessary.

     Mrs Lam, Professor Chan, and other guests today officiated at a ceremony to signify the opening of the first DHC in Hong Kong. Also officiating at the ceremony were the Chairman of Advisory Committee of Kwai Tsing Safe Community and Healthy City Association (KTSCHCA), Dr Leong Che-hung; the Chairman of the Kwai Tsing District Council, Mr Law King-shing; the Chairman of KTSCHCA, Mr Chow Yick-hay; the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan; and the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Professor John Leong.

     Located at the Kowloon Commerce Centre in Kwai Chung with about 1 500 square metres of net operating floor area, the Kwai Tsing DHC houses a team covering nursing, allied health professionals, pharmacy matters, social worker assistance and support staff to provide Government subsidised primary healthcare services including health promotion, health assessment, chronic disease management and community rehabilitation. 

     The Kwai Tsing DHC accommodates an Assessment and Interview Area for health assessment and chronic disease management as well as nursing and medication counselling, an Activity Area for conducting health education and chronic disease management programmes, and a Health Resource Corner for health promotion on public health initiatives. In addition, community rehabilitation services will be delivered in the Rehabilitation and Wellness Area, making use of innovative technology to enhance efficiency in service delivery. 

     The Kwai Tsing DHC is operated by the KTSCHCA and will commence services tomorrow (September 25). The DHC is open from 10am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday (except public holidays). 

     Members of the public may visit the FHB website (www.fhb.gov.hk/dhc) for more information about the DHC or call the Kwai Tsing DHC hotline at 187 8222. 

Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:38

NNNN