Press Releases

Charitable fund to provide further support for tetraplegics

        The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, announced today (August 20) the setting up of a special charitable fund by the Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) to provide further financial assistance to tetraplegics who opted to stay in the community.

        The announcement followed Dr Yeoh's second meeting with some 40 representatives of four self-help groups of tetraplegics this afternoon.

        Speaking after the meeting, Dr Yeoh said the Administration was fully aware of the concerns and special needs of tetraplegics living in the community.

        "Since my last meeting with the tetraplegics in June, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has revised the application criteria for the Care and Attention Allowance under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme to allow them to hire personal carers.

        "SWD has also expanded its respite service and integrated home care services to help the tetraplegics," he said.

        Noting that some tetraplegics who were not receiving CSSA might need financial assistance to hire personal carers and buy equipment to facilitate their movement, Dr Yeoh said he had since then actively sought to identify resources from the community to support this group of people. He was pleased to announce that YCH had kindly agreed to set up a special charitable fund to help them.

        Dr Yeoh thanked the chairman of the board of YCH, Mr Raymond Lee, for responding positively to the call and in fulfilling the hospital's founding mission to serve the community and help those in need.

        The charitable fund, to be administered by the YCH with necessary support from the SWD and the Hospital Authority (HA), will have an initial capital of $5 million.

        The fund will offer assistance for the purchase of medical/rehabilitation appliances, medical consumable items, and essential modification of homes and expenses such as hiring temporary personal helpers based on medical assessments and social workers' recommendations.

        Applications for funding can be made from September 20, 2004. Application forms and relevant information will be available from September 1 at YCH's website, www.yanchai.org.hk. For enquiries, please call YCH's hotline 2402 8276.

        "Because of the multiple nature of the tetraplegics' needs, we are seeking other community resources to set up complementary funds so that their need can be met," Dr Yeoh said.

        At present, the Government offers a wide range of services to tetraplegics through the SWD and the HA. There is financial assistance in the form of a disability allowance, CSSA allowance and medical waiver. Community support services include day care, home respite, integrated home care, a community nurse service, community occupational therapy service, counselling, training for carers and a home modification service.

Ends/Friday, August 20, 2004

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