Page 37 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE is provided for those who are unable to take care
of themselves. We are grateful to the nurses of
On October 20, 1973 the Committee Community Nursing Service of Nethersole Hos-
sponsored a seminar with the theme "The Need pital for their regular visits to the hostel and
for and the Possibilities of Medical Assistants". their advising our residents on health care,
Over fifty professional personnel attended the nutrition and general hygeine. The great number
seminar to seriuosly look into the present system of visitors from various churches, schools and
of health, distribution of medical and health service groups and the programs sponsored and
personnel and to explore the possibilities of performed by them over the year brought our
medical assistants in Hong Kong. The Committee residents in to close touch with the wider
is planning to submit a positive recommendation community.
of this subject to the Government for considera-
tion. After planning for more than two years the
second hostel, which is similar to Wah Hong
During the year the Committee studied on Hostel, has been opened for service since January
the Government’s "Green Paper” on the "Report 1974. Kwai Fong Hostel, located on the first
of the Medical Development Advisory Committee floor of Block 2, Kwai Fong Estates, Kwai
1973” . This resulted in a press conference at Chung, N.T., provides accommodations for 149
which time the Committee voiced its concerns elderly people. We are grateful for financial sup-
about the proposed legislation, e.g. need for port from the Government, the Lion's Club of
community nursing, geriatric care and medical Hong Kong (Host), The Methodist Church, Hong
assistants.
Kong (Wei Li Kung Hui), Kwun Tong Lion's
Club, Rotary Club of Kowloon, St. John，s
The Medical Services Committee, composed Cathedral, North Point Methodist Church, Mss
i
of representatives of the major Christian hospitals Martha Boss Memorial Fund, all the participating
and medical work, continues its active involve- agencies, and many Christian friends and in-
ment in the Voluntary Hospital Visitation Pro- dividuals. We are grateful to all for their
gram. The Committee decided to transfer the assistance and support and the hard work of the
Voluntary Hospital Visitation Program to the members of hte Committee for the Elderly.
new United Christian Hospital. Experience has
showed that the programme would receive a Due to increasing need for institutional
better response if it is based in a hospital. As care for the elderly citizens of the community
of December 1973 the program together with the Committee for the Elderly, which represents
i
an experienced staff Mss Cheng Sau-hing were nine voluntary organizations and three govern-
officially transferred to the United Christian ment departments, is considering the expansion
Hospital. The program has expanded to include of hostel service, especially "a care and attention
various types of voluntary services in the hospital. home’’ for the elderly people.

HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY INTER-CHURCH AID

To co-ordinate and administer hostels for Another major role and function of Hong
the elderly is one of the major functions of Hong Kong Christian Service is to request and channel
Kong Christian Service. Since the opening of funds for experimental and innovative projects
Wah Hong Hostel in 1969 Hong Kong Chris- sponsored by Voluntary Agencies in Hong Kong.
tain Service has been actively involved in the Each year Hong Kong Christian Service receives
promotion of care for the elderly through the and considers local applications for funds from
Committee for the Elderly, formerly known as related church funding organizations overseas.
the Wah Hong Hostel Management Committee. During the year Hong Kong Christian Service has
channelled a total of HK$1,097,174.70 for the
As of March 31, 1974 the Wah Hong following projects:
Hostel was filled to its maximum capacity of
120 elderly people. Of the total 120 elderly 1. Funds from the World Council of Churches
residents, there are 32 males, 76 females and Project Listing
6 couples. During the year 10 residents passed (HK$571,597.27 or US$113,715.66)
away. The Hostel continues to provide pleasant
living accommodations. Limited Care Service