Press Releases

Financial aid for family members of another health care professional

The Government today (August 8) has approved an application for financial assistance by the family members of a private doctor who died of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) contracted in the course of his professional practice.

A total of $3 million would be provided to the bereaved family members of Dr Thomas Cheung Sik-hin, an Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon in the private practice, under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others.

Speaking after a meeting of the committee which serves as the approving authority of the Scheme, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food and chairperson of the committee, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, said Dr Cheung sacrificed his life to save others during the SARS outbreak earlier on.

Dr Yeoh said: "Dr Cheung's dedication and contribution in treating his patients and serving the community even at the height of the threat of a new disease, which we had little knowledge at that time, have been greatly recognised.

"His selfless devotion to the Hong Kong community, together with the high level of professionalism displayed, commands our greatest respect.

"We deeply mourn the loss of a doctor of repute. The Scheme represents the Government's recognition of his gallant act and, in a practical sense, our respect for the heroism he has displayed in serving the people of Hong Kong.

"We will spare no effort in addressing the needs of the bereaved family, and we sincerely hope that the assistance provided under the Scheme can provide his family members some relief at this difficult time."

Dr Cheung ran a private clinic and was a visiting doctor at a private hospital. At the peak of the SARS outbreak, Dr Cheung continued to discharge the duties of an Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon involving high-risk procedures and served his patients with dedication, notwithstanding the risk and threat involved.

He died on May 31 of SARS contracted in the course of his professional practice. His family filed an application to the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau on July 8.

In recognition of his gallant act, the committee supported that his family should be provided with financial assistance of $3 million under the Scheme.

Earlier, the committee supported providing assistance to the family members of six health care staff who died of SARS contracted at work at public hospitals.

Dr Cheung's case is the first that involves health care professionals at the private hospital/clinic setting.

For health care professionals/workers died of SARS contracted at the hospital/clinic setting during the SARS outbreak between March and June 2003, Dr Yeoh stressed that the committee would take into account the following basic considerations to be fulfilled in each of the applications, and also take a view on the degree of gallantry involved:-

(a) the deceased was aware of the risk and threat at the hospital/clinic setting;
(b) the deceased had taken proactive steps to provide direct care/service/treatment to patients; and
(c) it was probable that the deceased contracted SARS in patient activity areas at the hospital/clinic setting whilst on duty.

These are applicable equally to both public and private settings alike.

Dr Yeoh explained that without setting a precedent for future cases to be judged against the prevailing circumstances (the knowledge gained, the precautionary measures and the treatment protocol) then, those cases occurring during the SARS outbreak between March and June 2003 deserved special consideration against the unique circumstances.

"It was exceptional in that Hong Kong was faced with an unprecedented challenge," he said.

At the time of incidents -

(a) SARS was still a relatively new disease (could be fatal);
(b) very little was known about it (though droplet transmission was identified as a possible source of infection); and
(c) there was fear in the community and among health care professionals/workers (in particular working at the hospital/clinic setting).

"Notwithstanding their known fear about the risk and threat associated with discharging their duties, health care professionals/workers still continued to take proactive steps to provide direct care/service/treatment to patients with selfless devotion.

"The Government has a moral duty towards the bereaved families of those who died during that period of SARS contracted in the course of their professional practice, be they at the public or private hospital/clinic setting," Dr Yeoh added.

The Scheme was set up in January 2002 to provide financial assistance to family members of those who sacrifice their lives to save or protect others. A committee comprising the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food as the chairperson and four non-official members (Mr Bernard Charnwutt Chan, Mr Chau How-chen, Ms Lam Shuk-yee and Mrs Justina Leung Ngai Mou-yin) was set up to serve as the approving authority.

Under the Scheme, the applicants will have to confirm that they have a need for financial assistance. The amount of financial assistance for each approved application is worked out according to a formula having regard to the age and normal retirement age of the deceased and the prevailing median monthly employment earnings, with minimum and maximum levels at $3 million and $6 million respectively at present.

It is disbursed in addition to any other assistance or compensation the family might receive in relation to the death of the deceased. Payment is funded from the Government's General Revenue.

Application forms can be downloaded from the website of the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau at www.hwfb.gov.hk/ch/committees/save.htm. Enquiries can be directed to the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau at telephone number 2973 8137.

End/Friday, August 8, 2003
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