​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited Wong Tai Sin District today (September 14) to tour a community pharmacy, a Chinese medicine services centre and the District Health Centre (DHC) to learn more about the primary healthcare facilities and services in the district. He also interacted with local residents and service users to listen to their views on the upcoming Policy Address.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, joined relevant parts of the visit.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu, Mr Lee and the officials first visited the PHARM+ Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Community Pharmacy to learn more about its service areas and daily operation, including its drug consultation and health advice services provided for people who require regular medication.
Mr Lee then visited the Sik Sik Yuen Chinese Medicine Services Centre and interacted with its patients to understand the centre's Chinese medicine and integrated Chinese-Western medicine services.
After that, Mr Lee visited the Wong Tai Sin District Health Centre to observe the range of services, including health risk factors assessment, chronic disease screening and community rehabilitation services, provided by the centre. He also interacted with healthcare staff and participants of the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme to learn more about the services and effectiveness of the promgamme.
Mr Lee said that the current term Government has been progressively revamping the healthcare system to actualise the objective of the Primary Healthcare Blueprint of shifting the focus of the healthcare system from its present treatment-oriented, hospital-based structure to a prevention-focused, community-based one. He said that the setting up of DHCs is an important step in strengthening the primary healthcare system. With more than 290 000 members joining the DHCs and DHC Expresses across the city, it reflects that the DHCs have been gradually building a primary healthcare service network which begins to take shape in the community.
Afterwards, Mr Lee and the officials went to a local Chinese restaurant to participate in an event organised by district groups. They celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and Mid-Autumn Festival with the elderly and members of the District Services and Community Care Team in Wong Tai Sin. Mr Lee also interacted with local residents to listen to their views on Government's policies.
"I have felt citizens' passion for Hong Kong and have gained a better understanding of their needs and thoughts through our exchanges. My team and I will continue to visit different districts to meet with representatives from various sectors and listen to their opinions, with a view to building a vibrant economy for a caring community," Mr Lee said.
The public consultation exercise for the 2024 Policy Address was launched in mid-July. Mr Lee appealed to members of the public to actively give their views on issues of their interests to the Government.
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