Appointments to new-term Commission on Poverty

2024-06-28 12:00 Last Updated At：16:55

Government appoints new members to commission on poverty for targeted poverty alleviation initiatives from july 1, 2024, to june 30, 2026. close collaboration for enhancing contentment and happiness among target groups.

The Government today (June 28) announced appointments to the new-term Commission on Poverty (CoP) for a term of two years from July 1, 2024, to June30,2026.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, as the Chairperson of the CoP, expressed his gratitude to all members of the current-term CoP for their efforts and contributions, as well as their support for the Government's strategy of targeted poverty alleviation with resources directed to people most in need.He welcomed members of the new-term CoP and looked forward to close collaboration with them to ensure that poverty alleviation policy initiatives meet the needs of target groups.

Mr Chan said that the current-term Government had been working closely with the CoP in taking forward concrete initiatives of targeted poverty alleviation, including the Strive and Rise Programme, the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room, the School-based After School Care Service Scheme, and engagement of District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) to help identify elderly households in need through visits or contacts, based on the needs of such target groups as households residing in subdivided units, single-parent households, and elderly households. The Government, jointly with the new-term CoP, will continue with the work of targeted poverty alleviation to enhance the sense of contentment and happiness among the target groups.

The membership of the new-term CoP is as follows:

Chairperson

-------------

Chief Secretary for Administration

Non-official members

-----------------------

Mr Calvin Chan Ming-wai*

Professor Terence Chong Tai-leung

Ms Helen Hsu Siu-man*

Mr Howard Hung Wing-yip

Mr Kan Ming-tung*

Mr Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah*

Mrs Patricia Lau*

Ms Josephine Lee Yuk-chi

Mr James Li Tsz-shu

Ms Loretta Lo Yee-hang

Ms Nikki Ng Mien-hua

Mrs Chandni Rakesh*

Dr Loletta So Kit-ying

Mr So Ping-fai

Mrs Mary Suen Choi To-may*

Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming*

Ms Jessie Yu Sau-chu

Ex-officio members

---------------------

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs

Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Chairperson of Community Care Fund Task Force)

Secretary for Education

Secretary for Health

* new members

CHP announces investigation progress of case of dengue fever

2024-06-30 19:50 Last Updated At：19:58

Investigation into dengue fever in tin shui wai continues: public urged to take precautionary measures and stay informed

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 30) continued its investigation into a case of dengue fever (DF)announcedon June 28. The CHP urged again the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel. Meanwhile, persons who have been to Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai with DF symptomsshould contact the CHP as soon as possible.

According to the latest findings of epidemiological investigations, no linked case has been identified by the CHP so far. The CHP has inspected the residence of the patient on June 28. Blood samples of the patient's two household contacts tested negative for dengue virus upon laboratory testing. As at 3pm today, the CHP has contacted over 3 000 residents from over 1 200 households of Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai. No suspected case is identified.

Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Housing Department inspected the vicinity of Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai and enhanced the anti-mosquito work yesterday (June 29) morning. They also suggested the cleansing service contractor to strengthen mosquito control measures.

The CHP held a health talk jointly with the FEHD yesterday evening in the Tin Shui Community Centre, during which the CHP also conducted free DF antibody tests for people in the district with relevant symptoms.

Meanwhile, the CHP appeals to persons who have been to Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai with DF symptoms to call the CHP's hotline (2125 2374) which is operatingfrom 9am to 1pm tomorrow(July 1) and will continue to operatefrom 9am to 5pmfrom July 2, Monday to Friday(excluding public holidays) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. DF is clinically characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and rash.

The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:

Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;

Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;

Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;

Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;

Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;

Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and

Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing and uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:

Read the label instructions carefully first;

Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;

Apply on exposed skin and clothing;

Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;

Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and

Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

The public should call1823in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF pages of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.