Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited a Community Carer’s Cafe co-organised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres (HKFWC) this morning (November 26) to take a closer look at its support services for carers. The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui, also joined the visit.

     Since October 2018, the SWD has been collaborating with the HKFWC in setting up such Cafes in four Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs) in Tai Po and North District to provide carers with activities and refreshments to help them relax mentally and physically, exchange experience and gain support.

     Dr Law toured the Cafe situated in the Sheung Shui IFSC, where he was briefed on a carer training programme of the HKFWC. Apart from training on basic personal care for young children and the elderly, the programme also encourages participants to talk about their experience in order to relieve their own stress.

     The Cafe has also arranged for volunteers to look after the carers’ children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities temporarily. Carers identified with counselling and welfare needs by volunteers will be referred to professional social workers for follow-up. The four Cafes have been giving support to some 440 carers so far.

     In view of carers’ positive feedback to the operation mode of the Cafes, six other service units targeting different users in Tai Po and North District have also set up such Cafe services.

     Dr Law pointed out that the Government will continue to enhance support for carers. A study on carer policy has already been launched.

      

     Hongkong Post announced today (November 26) the release of a set of eight stamps, two stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of the classic comic “Old Master Q” on December 5 (Thursday). This is the first set of stamps themed on “Old Master Q” together with motifs imprinted on the gummed back of each stamp sheet as a special feature. 

     Immensely popular with the Chinese community since the 1960s, the comic has entertained generations in Hong Kong and won the hearts of young and old alike. Each of the $2 stamps features the comic’s characters, namely Old Master Q, Big Potato, Mr Chin, Mr Chao and Miss Chen, with iconic spots and landmarks in the background that retain a local sense of humour. The set of eight stamps portrays a local colloquial expression that conveys the meaning of “enjoying shopping, movies and cuisines”.

     Hongkong Post wishes to express its gratitude to the author of the “Old Master Q” comic, Mr Wong Chak; Museum Expert Advisor of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Mr Cheng Po-hung; and Hong Kong swimming athlete, Ms Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, who share in short videos their interesting encounters with “Old Master Q”. The videos are available at the Hongkong Post website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) and other social media platforms.   

    This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products, including a set of eight $2 stamps, an official first day cover, a $10 stamp sheetlet, a $20 stamp sheetlet with special printing effects, self-adhesive reel stamps, a presentation pack, postage prepaid picture cards and serviced first day covers will be placed on sale at post offices on December 5.  

     For the convenience of customers who wish to place additional orders for this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products without visiting a post office, a new round of online advance order services is now available until December 4 through the ShopThruPost platform (www.shopthrupost.hk). Customers will be notified before January 22, 2020 of collecting their additional orders. 

     Information about this special stamp issue is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk or via the Hongkong Post mobile app.

                  

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (November 26):   Reporter: Chief Executive, some pro-government par… read more

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsing Yi in the small hours today (November 26) in which a 21-year-old woman died.      At about 4.34am, a private car driven by a 30-year-ol… read more

     A total of 152 additional cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection were reported to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) in the third quarter of 2019, bringing the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 10 150 since 1984.
 
     Reviewing the latest HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) situation in Hong Kong at a press conference today (November 26), the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the CHP, Dr Kenny Chan, said that sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission and stressed the importance of consistent and proper use of condoms in reducing the risk of contracting HIV.
 
     “Members of the public with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV antibody test early. They can call the DH’s AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test. HIV-positive people should seek specialist care as soon as possible,” he continued.
 
     Of the 152 HIV cases, involving 126 males and 26 females, reported in the third quarter, 71 acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact and 38 via heterosexual contact. The routes of transmission of the remaining 43 cases have yet to be determined due to incomplete information upon notification.
 
     The new cases were mainly reported by three major sources: public hospitals, clinics and laboratories (68 cases); the DH’s Social Hygiene Clinics (29 cases); and private hospitals, clinics and laboratories (21 cases). Also, 102 of the HIV-infected people (68 per cent) have already received HIV specialist services at the DH or the Hospital Authority.
 
     In addition, 24 new cases of AIDS were reported in this quarter, of which 16 cases (67 per cent) were attributed to homosexual or bisexual contact, and six cases (25 per cent) were related to heterosexual contact. The route of transmission of two cases (8 per cent) has yet to be determined due to incomplete information upon notification. In this quarter, the most common AIDS-defining illness was Pneumocystis pneumonia, a kind of chest infection.
 
     Since 1985, a cumulative total of 2 075 confirmed AIDS cases have been reported in Hong Kong.
 
     “HIV is the cause of AIDS and, without treatment, about half of HIV-infected people will progress to AIDS within 10 years. On the contrary, early HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs helps prevent AIDS and its complications. It also makes a significant contribution towards improving the quality of life and prolongs survival of those infected. Notably, people with HIV who achieve sustained viral suppression through antiretroviral drugs have a negligible chance of passing on the virus through sex,” Dr Chan said.
 
     The DH will launch a new set of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest on antiretroviral treatment on this year’s World AIDS Day (December 1) to enhance public awareness of HIV/AIDS.
         
     The public may visit the following pages for more information on HIV/AIDS: the DH’s Virtual AIDS Office (www.aids.gov.hk), the Red Ribbon Centre (www.rrc.gov.hk), the AIDS Hotline website (www.27802211.com) and the Gay Men HIV Information website (www.21171069.gov.hk). read more