Press Releases

SFH on Elderly Health Care Voucher

Following is a transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, at a stand-up media session after attending a radio programme today (July 18):

Reporter: (On introducing new initiatives to boost public confidence in the Government)

Secretary for Food and Health: I think the sole objective of the new-term Government in putting forth all these initiatives is to respond to the request from the community in different areas, namely in terms of housing, elderly care and medical services. This is our primary and sole objective.

Reporter: (On the value of the Elderly Health Care Voucher)

Secretary for Food and Health: I think there will be different views regarding the adequacy of the amount. This is primarily because individual persons will have varying medical needs. But in terms of the results of the trial scheme of the Elderly Health Care Voucher, I think it is timely for us to introduce this quite significant increase in the amount of the voucher that the elderly can make use of, so that they can actually build up a continuous relationship with the carer in the community of their own choice. We also hope that the Elderly Health Care Voucher scheme can further guide the use or direct the use of private health care services so as to alleviate partially the pressure on the public health care system.

Reporter: (On atmosphere in the Government)

Secretary for Food and Health: The new Government is facing all these pressures or challenges, and we adopt a very serious approach to address them. We all know that there is a greater need for all of us to gear up and be united so that we can actually deliver what we want to deliver to the public.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)


Ends/Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:35

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