Alexis Tam visited the in-patient children at the central hospital
A joint pediatric assessment center is now open to the public, providing medical assessments of children who display symptoms of development disorders as well as offering consultations to their parents.
With yesterday’s International Children’s Day as a pretext, Alexis Tam, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, inaugurated the center.
Located in the Conde de São Januário Central Hospital, the center consists of a doctor’s office as well as offices for mental activity evaluation, speech therapy,, occupational therapy, hearing testing, educational placement, social work assistance and breastfeeding. Each division will assess a child’s abilities, such as their muscle development and coordination ability.
The center intends to help children aged six and under. “At this early stage of growing, we can notice problems more easily and can cure them,” explained Tam, according to whom the establishment of the Center will assist to meet an emerging demand for assessment and treatment services of children with developmental disorders.
Tam stated that the planning of the creation of the center had begun last year and was discussed in several coordination meetings with the Health Bureau (SSM), the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), as well as the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ).
IAS will provide consultation work to families; SSM will evaluate the physical abilities of childrenand DSEJ will arrange available positions in school for the children.
Tam believes that “the center can manage all resources of SSM, IAS, and DSEJ, as well as improve the service efficiency.”
Leong Lai, director of DSEJ, believes that the Center will improve the educational placement of children. He further disclosed that each child will be evaluated two to three times before a final assessment is made. Staff reporter
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