HK's Welfare System Comparable to Any in Asia: OfficialHong Kong has over the years built up a highly developed system of welfare services and institutions which is comparable to any in Asia, said Hong Kong's Secretary for Health and Welfare E K Yeoh Friday.Apart from a safety net for the needy, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, there was a range of preventive, developmental and support services, as well as remedial services for those who required assistance, Yeoh said at the luncheon meeting of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce. To ensure that the elderly enjoys a sense of security, belonging, health and worthiness, Yeoh said the government would be spending 2.7 billion HK dollars (346 million U.S. dollars) in 2000-2001 on elderly welfare services. In 2000-2001, 1.66 billion HK dollars (213 million U.S. dollars) will be spent on family and child welfare services which include family casework service, child care service, services for battered spouses and abused children and family life education. Turning to youth welfare services, Yeoh said, in the current financial year, 1.1 billion HK dollars (141 million U.S. dollars) will be spent on services for young people, covering a wide range of services such as children and youth centers, school social work service, outreaching social work service and integrated teams. The government is also committed to providing people with disabilities with the necessary rehabilitation services and support, so that they can develop their potential and integrate fully into the community. In 2000-2001, 2.2 billion HK dollars (282 million U.S. dollars) will be spent on direct rehabilitation services, including care, education and training of disabled pre-schoolers, as well as day care and residential services for disabled adults, he said. |
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