Correctional Officers at Shek Pik Prison on Lantau Island stopped a fight among persons in custody today (January 4). At 1.20 pm today, nine male persons in custody aged from 24 t… read more
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, today (January 4) visited Sham Shui Po District, where he toured a youth hostel and a music education body and met with District Council members.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Sham Shui Po District Council (SSPDC), Mr Ambrose Cheung, and the District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mr Damian Lee, Dr Law visited YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel. The revitalised Mei Ho House invited past residents to contribute to exhibitions about the building and has introduced life in old estates to students through teaching materials and guided tours. Dr Law said he appreciated that students could learn more about the essence of neighbourhood with a deeper understanding of social capital from these activities.
He then proceeded to the Music Children Foundation, an organisation receiving a grant in the First Round Application of the Dedicated Portion of the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged (PFD) for implementing after-school learning and support programmes. The Foundation had provided free music training for underprivileged children since April 2016 with both its business partner’s sponsorship and the Government’s matching grant. Concerts have been held to boost participants’ confidence during performance.
Dr Law said he was glad to note that, upon completion of the above project supported by the PFD’s Dedicated Portion in March 2018, the Foundation obtained sponsorship from other charitable organisations to extend the project to other districts across the territory, achieving the goal of promoting partnership among the welfare sector, business corporations and the Government to help the disadvantaged.
The Social Welfare Department is inviting a new round of applications for the PFD. Its Regular Portion has so far approved grants of over $437 million for 923 welfare projects covering more than 1 million disadvantaged persons, while its Dedicated Portion has approved about $180 million in grants for 239 after-school learning and support projects benefiting more than 100 000 primary and secondary school students.
Prior to the visits, Dr Law went to the SSPDC to exchange views with SSPDC members on labour and welfare issues as well as matters of local concern.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 4) investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.
The case involves a 1-year-old baby boy with good past health, who had presented with fever, cough, vomiting and rash over limbs since January 3. He was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical attention and was admitted on the same day. His clinical diagnosis was meningitis. The patient is now in a stable condition.
His cerebrospinal fluid sample tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP’s investigation is continuing.
“Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact through respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, from infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, and is commonly three or four days,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
The clinical picture may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).
Meningococcaemia is characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache and stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or a rash. It can cause brain damage or even death. The brain damage may lead to intellectual impairment, mental retardation, hearing loss and electrolyte imbalance. Invasive meningococcal infections can be complicated by arthritis, inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the posterior chamber of the eye or chest infection.
Meningococcal infection is a serious illness. Patients should be treated promptly with antibiotics.
To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take heed of the following measures:
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 15 open meetings, two public hearings and three closed meetings during the week from… read more
Police today (January 4) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Lok Ma Chau. Lo Sun-wah, aged 58, went missing after he left a rehabilitation home on Ho Sheung … read more