Press Releases
SHWF on avian flu and discharge planning in public hospitals
Following is a transcript of the remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary
for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session after
attending a luncheon today (May 3):
Reporter: (On joint exercise)
Dr Chow: We have been talking to the Mainland authorities regarding a joint
exercise, particularly on drills of contingency in infectious diseases.
Certainly we are looking at what is the best way to do it and how we can have an
exercise that will have cross-border activities at the same time.
Reporter: Some of the people in the business community expressed concerns that
if there is a pandemic, there will be a lot of deaths. What is going to happen
with the bodies because there are a lot of religions in Hong Kong. Has the
Government come up with a plan and how to deal with this?
Dr Chow: I don't think we have plans down to the details of people with
different religions. But certainly I think the most important thing that we are
for is to contain any pandemic that happens in Hong Kong, try to minimise the
mortality and to treat patients. I think that is more important than handling
the death.
Reporter: Don't you know there is something very close. I mean someone's death
is a very personal thing. Are you afraid of, because Muslims do not allow their
bodies to be cremated, you must come up with a plan�K�K
Dr Chow: I think a lot of those policies are already in place regarding
respecting people's religion. What the Hospital Authority is doing now has
already taken into account people's religion.
Reporter: Can you repeat that statement in English in terms of Comprehensive
Social Security Allowance (CSSA)?
Dr Chow: We feel that there is a certain impact on people who overstay in
hospitals, particularly when our public resources are limited. Anyone who stay
in a hospital for longer than necessary would jeopardise other patients'
requirement of services. On the other hand, I think we also need to make sure
that those who go home can receive the right level of care by their own
families. We also think of how to provide a disincentive for them to stay in
hospitals, particularly those who are receiving CSSA. If they stay in hospitals,
sometimes they would still receive CSSA up to a level that exceeds their assets.
This is something I think is really causing problems for some of our carers. So
we would like to address that. The other aspect is that most doctors and nurses
would not like to persuade patients to go home and also confront patients'
families. We believe that a committee that would have an unbiased view from
outside like someone from the welfare sector, might help them to make a
decision.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion)
Ends/Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:26
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