Alexis Tam
The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, said earlier this week that some local organizations are interested in offering elderly care services within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. On the sidelines of a spring gathering hosted this week by the Social Welfare Bureau, Tam said cities neighboring Macau – including Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Jiangmen – could be considered for such a scheme. Whether a senior citizen decided to live in Macau or elsewhere would not impact their welfare rights and benefits, he added.
During the event, Tam said that the government plans to start offering outreach healthcare services to senior citizens in need by the end of the month. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists would be sent to publicly-sponsored elderly homes, in order to provide these services. The secretary said that providing support to the elderly, to children and to the physically challenged was a policy priority.
A new health center at Ilha Verde is scheduled to open later this year, Tam said. In addition, the government plans to expand the offer of elderly care services – including dementia care – at health centers across the city. A bill to protect the rights and interests of senior citizens is currently being reviewed by the Legislative Assembly and is likely to be voted on later this year, he added.
No Comments