US for Health officiates at opening ceremony of Tsuen Wan District Health Centre (with photos)
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Tsuen Wan District Health Centre (DHC) today (December 15), the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, said that the Government is determined to drive district-based primary healthcare development and is gradually strengthening the role and function of DHCs as medical and healthcare resource hubs in the districts. DHCs located across all 18 districts of Hong Kong actively connect and co-ordinate various healthcare professionals and primary healthcare services in both public and private sectors at the community level to provide comprehensive medical support according to the needs of the public.
Dr Lee said, “DHCs constitute one of the key elements in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint put forward by the Government. We hope to equip citizens, through the Blueprint, with the abilities to take the driver’s seat in managing their health so that they can take good care of their own health. Acting as the community support arm for citizens, the DHCs help build a stronger awareness among citizens to manage their health so that they would be more conscious of the various aspects of physical fitness, of which they should take extra care at different ages. Children can also learn the tips for living a healthy life and build healthy habits at a young age.
“For persons aged 45 or above, I strongly urge you to participate in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) to find out if you have diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which are two common chronic diseases recorded in Hong Kong. We have another guardian angel in the community as well and that is your family doctor. We are now promoting the ‘Family Doctor For All’ programme. Once you join the CDCC Pilot Scheme, you can select your preferred family doctor. These family doctors are listed in the Primary Care Directory with their professional standard assured. They will take good care of you according to evidence-based clinical protocol.”
As at December 14, various DHCs have assisted over 10 000 citizens in total to register for the Scheme. Under the Scheme, citizens will be matched with family doctors of their choice. At present, over 470 participating family doctors are available for matching by citizens.
The Tsuen Wan DHC, operated by the Yan Chai Hospital Board, has commenced services in phases since late December last year. Its multidisciplinary team comprises nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, social workers and supporting staff, and offers various government-subsidised primary healthcare services to citizens. The DHC also engages healthcare personnel in the district or nearby areas to construct a multidisciplinary network and work with other community partners that provide social welfare and healthcare services in the district, thereby co-ordinating service referrals for citizens in need.
Located at Plaza 88, Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan, the core centre of the Tsuen Wan DHC is equipped with advanced physiotherapy equipment and artificial intelligence fitness technology to apply innovative technology for the provision of effective chronic disease management services and community rehabilitation services to its members. Apart from the core centre, satellite centres located at Bellagio Mall in Tsuen Wan West and Tso Kung Square in Tsuen Wan North are now in service, while satellite centres in Tsuen Wan East and Tsuen Wan South are scheduled to start operation within this month.
The core centre of the Tsuen Wan DHC opens from 10am to 8pm on Mondays to Thursdays, from 9am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and closes on Sundays and public holidays. As for the four satellite centres, they open from 10am to 8pm from Mondays to Saturdays, and close on Sundays and public holidays. Members of the public are welcome to register as members of the DHC to enjoy the services. They may also call the hotline at 2439 8088 to enquire about relevant information of the Tsuen Wan DHC. More details of various DHCs and DHC Expresses are available on the website www.dhc.gov.hk.
Deputy Director General of the New Territories Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Ye Hu; Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Eddie Lee; the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau; the Assistant Director of Health (Elderly Health), Dr Raymond Ho; and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yan Chai Hospital, Mrs Mary Suen, also attended the opening ceremony today.