Press Releases
Health Care and Promotion Fund Forum
The Government has vowed to rally people community-wide to put their collective
shoulders behind the wheel of igniting public health projects, with a view to
integrating health consciousness and habits into their daily lives.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, made these remarks today
(October 22) at the Health Care and Promotion Fund Forum 2007.
Dr Chow said public health was the pillar of a vibrant society, adding that the
Government had been investing heavily over the years in health promotion. The
establishment of the Health Care and Promotion Fund in 1995 showcased the
Government's long-term commitment to promoting healthy lifestyle and good
habits, as well as creating a healthy environment.
Dr Chow said there had been a growing recognition of health promotion
activities. "Such activities not only alleviate the impact of diseases on our
society, they are also cost-effective."
Projects supported by the fund exemplify this belief. They helped bring positive
changes to our habits, reducing the burden on our society caused by diseases, he
said.
Dr Chow also announced the launching of a "Seed Funding Scheme" to help local
groups enhance partnership and joint efforts.
Under the scheme, applications will be accepted from non-profit-making
organisations from November 1, 2007. It will offer non-recurrent fund to support
the development of innovative, effective and sustainable ways to foster health
and well-being of the community.
Seed funds are not tailored for short-term health promotion projects. They are
used for building sustainable networks and skills, and for directing local
resources to health promotion projects in the long run.
The forum was one of the many activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. More than 300 participants attended
the forum, which provided a unique opportunity for health promotion
practitioners to put their heads together on ways to build a healthy community,
to improve exercise and nutrition, and to strengthen tobacco control.
The fund had so far allocated a total of $38 million to 132 health promotion
projects. More than 100 projects had been successfully completed. All funded
projects were targeted at public health problems.
Ends/Monday, October 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:48
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