Gov’t waives elder hotline fees and launches hospital shuttle service

The Social Welfare Bureau announced that it would waive monthly fees for the Peng On Tung emergency call service starting May 1. The initiative targets residents aged 75 or older who live alone or in two-person households, aiming to strengthen accessibility, safety, and care for elderly residents.

Under the new policy, the monthly service fee for the fixed-line system will be eliminated for eligible households, including those where at least one member has reached the age of 75. The Peng On Tung Assistance Service Center has confirmed it will proactively contact current users to facilitate the waiver process.

Officials are also encouraging eligible seniors who are not yet enrolled to apply through family members or by registering online to ensure they have access to 24-hour emergency assistance.

In a simultaneous effort to improve healthcare accessibility, the Health Bureau announced that it is launching a temporary shuttle bus service next week connecting the Macao Union Hospital and the Conde de São Januário Hospital.

The service will operate Monday through Saturday, providing a total of eight trips per day to assist patients and staff navigating between the two medical facilities.

According to official schedules, departures from Macao Union Hospital are set for 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Return trips from Conde de São Januário General Hospital will run in the afternoon and evening, with departures scheduled for 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. NS