Press Releases
SHW re-affirms elderly policy objective
The Government today (Saturday) reaffirms its elderly policy to ensure the elderly enjoy a sense of security, belonging, health and worthiness, as well as improved quality of life.
And in consultation with the Elderly Commission, the Government has formulated a set of policies aimed at fulfilling the needs of the ageing population, effecting an overall improvement to elderly services, and mapping out a long-term strategy for developing such services.
This was stated by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, when launching the "Global Embrace" in Hong Kong, which is a walk being held all over the world to commemorate the International Day for the Elderly.
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Mr Tam Yiu-chung, and the Director of the Chinese University of Hong Kong World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Sports Medicine and Health Promotion, Professor Chan Kai-ming.
Dr Yeoh pointed out that with the tremendous economic growth over the years, Hong Kong people had been enjoying a high standard of living and attained an average life expectancy second only to Japan.
"To achieve the objective of having a community in which different generations share and co-operate, it is of paramount importance to enhance communication among people of different generations," he said.
"I would appeal to our younger generation to uphold the value of filial piety, a virtue most cherished in the Chinese culture over the past 5,000 years.
"I would also appeal to the elderly to make a similar effort to live in harmony with the younger generation, through sharing with them their experience, caring for their family members and actively participating in community affairs."
With the concerted effort of the old and the young, Dr Yeoh firmly believed that Hong Kong would be regarded by all as a community filled with warmth and a society for all ages.
The "Global Embrace" was organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services as a major publicity activity in support of the International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) 1999.
The Government has pledged full support to the IYOP in organising over 770 activities to promote care for the elderly with the contributions and blessing by the Elderly Commission.
Since January this year, a number of major publicity activities have been held, including an opening ceremony cum elderly concert, a roving exhibition on elderly services, and a 10-episode television docu-drama on the elderly.
Other major activities that will be held before the end of the year include Hong Kong Elderly Contest, Senior Citizens Day and an Elderly Banquet.
End/Saturday, October 2, 1999
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