Anxiety over housing has hindered the psychological healing of residents affected by the deadly Tai Po fire, mental health professionals have said, as Hong Kong authorities begin polling flat owners on their preferences for long-term resettlement. The inferno that broke out on November 26 at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court claimed 161 lives, injured 79,…
Hong Kong will overhaul public hospital fees from January 1 to ensure the sustainable development of its healthcare system amid challenges from an ageing population. Authorities estimate the increased fees could generate an additional HK$3 billion (US$385 million) a year, with the extra revenue earmarked to support patients facing financial hardship or critical illnesses. The…
More than 10,000 teenagers and underprivileged Hongkongers have benefited from subsidised dental care programmes launched earlier this year, with about 1,500 street sleepers set to be included from next month. The Department of Health on Wednesday said its community dental support programme would be expanded to reach more people in need and provide advanced treatments…
A former Hong Kong government engineer was jailed for five years and three months on Tuesday for laundering HK$6.26 million (US$804,000) in illegal proceeds, having lived far beyond his legitimate income. The High Court heard that 60-year-old Zsa Sing-tak had also accepted a HK$40,000 bribe to favour engineering firms linked to a friend during tendering…
A jobless Hong Kong man has been remanded in custody on suspicion of defrauding HK$18,000 (US$2,313) in financial aid intended for those affected by last month’s deadly Tai Po fire. Kwai Chung resident Fung Chun-kit, 36, was not required to enter a plea during his first appearance at Fanling Court on Friday, as prosecutors sought…
Hong Kong police have arrested a man suspected of posing as a victim of the city’s deadliest fire in decades and scamming nearly HK$20,000 (US$2,600) in financial aid from several social welfare organisations. The 36-year-old suspect allegedly obtained a copy of another man’s identity card and used it to successfully apply for an “emergency relief…
Hong Kong police have arrested a man suspected of posing as a victim of the city’s deadliest fire in decades and scamming nearly HK$20,000 (US$2,600) in financial aid from several social welfare organisations. The 36-year-old suspect allegedly obtained a copy of another man’s identity card and used it to successfully apply for an “emergency relief…
Hong Kong’s home affairs minister has called on NGOs to better coordinate with the government on their support for residents displaced in the city’s deadliest fire in decades following reported confusion on the ground. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen on Saturday also rejected accusations the government-backed care teams had called police…
The crackdown on public housing abuse in Hong Kong has received broad public support as more rental units were recovered and reassigned to those with genuine need. But as more tenants are evicted for flouting the rules, there have also been calls for greater sensitivity in handling families with special needs. The sad outcome of…
Hong Kong authorities have pledged to allocate HK$500 million (US$64.2 million) annually for recurrent expenditure to support carers, including establishing a high-risk family database and installing accident detection systems. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made this pledge on Wednesday while delivering his annual policy address, which included a range of measures to tackle the city’s…