Hong Kong to boost dental care for underprivileged groups with new initiative
Hong Kong health authorities will launch a programme in collaboration with non-governmental organisations to provide nearly 40,000 quotas of dental services for underprivileged groups per year, double the current availability at public dental clinics.
The Department of Health on Tuesday also said that appointments at public dental clinics would increase by almost 30 per cent from next month to address the significant demand for these services among the public.
Dr Kitty Hse Mei-yin, the consultant in charge of the department's dental services, said that the Community Dental Support Programme would offer dental check-ups, pain relief medication, X-ray scans, fillings, and extractions to eligible individuals at a total of 77 service locations across the city, starting from May 26.
'We wish to use a newer and better approach to provide help to the underprivileged people,' she said.
'The newly launched programme will provide around 40,000 quotas which is double of that of the public dental clinics.
'Thus, we hope people who are in need, especially those from vulnerable communities facing financial difficulties, except from using public dental clinics, can use the programme's services.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong water safety scandal: what happened and how to protect yourself
Hong Kong's leader has rolled out 10 measures to address a freshwater contamination case involving banned substances dirtying the supply at two public housing estates. Advertisement The Post unpacks the water safety concerns behind the saga and how people can protect themselves. 1. What's the scandal about? Residents at two public rental and subsidised estates in Fanling first reported the presence of black particles in their drinking water on Friday last week, prompting some to buy bottled water as speculation mounted over the source of the mysterious dark specks. Government test results on Thursday confirmed that the particles found in the freshwater supply at Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court in Fanling were bitumen, a substance produced through the distillation of crude oil and known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties. It has been banned from use in water pipes since 2005, but authorities have stressed that the water remains safe to consume. A resident at Queens Hill Estate in Fanling buys bottled water following concerns over water safety. Photo: Nora Tam The latest tests showed the bitumen was found to be mixed with resin, a thick substance typically produced by plants.
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Replacement work on water pipe that gave Hongkongers scare to begin this year
Hong Kong will begin replacing a 400-metre (437 yards) section of water pipe lined with bitumen this year before carrying out citywide work, as it is believed to be the source of black particles dirtying the water at two public housing estates. Advertisement Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Saturday that the government would prioritise the stretch of pipe between Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court in Fanling, the only one lined with bitumen that connects the two sites. She said the city had about 700km (435 miles) of pipes lined with the substance and her bureau had told the Water Supplies Department to submit a plan to replace old ones across the city. 'To allay public concerns, particularly because of the emergence of sediment at this site, we plan to start the replacement project within this year,' Linn said. 'We have asked the Water Supplies Department to submit a plan to replace old water pipes to the Development Bureau.' Advertisement The substance has been banned from use in water pipes in the city since 2005, but authorities have stressed that the water remains safe to consume after residents voiced worries over the presence of the black particles. Linn said that bitumen-lined pipes were used internationally and posed no harm, with authorities also installing more than 1,000 filters in the water supply system.
South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese TV host widely praised for helping tourist with altitude sickness in scenic spot
A renowned Chinese television host has been praised for helping a tourist suffering with altitude sickness. Advertisement The plaudits came after curious online observers dug into her past life and discovered her legendary history. On May 28, television personality Zhu Xun and her colleagues came across a group of tourists after attending an environmental protection event in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province, southwestern China. Zhu Xun gives the stricken woman oxygen from a bottle after she collapsed. Photo: One woman from the group was suffering from altitude sickness and had fainted. Symptoms of the condition include headaches and vomiting. In extreme cases it can be fatal. Zhu offered her bottled oxygen and gave her acupressure. The tourist recovered after several minutes, then asked Zhu for a hug and a photo together. The tourist said she was 'so lucky' to have been looked after by Zhu. Advertisement Garze is a famous tourist county with beautiful scenery. Its highest elevation is 5,688 metres and its lowest is 3,325 metres. Zhu's generosity has been widely praised on social media.
