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China
Subsidizing traditional Chinese medicine for the seniors could alleviate public clinics for endless waiting lines
Mis en ligne le 03/07/2007
Underfunded seniors and social workers expect aids for traditional Chines medicine from the government. This would allow the poor to consult directly a general practitioner instead of swelling the waiting lines in public clinics.
The elderly and social workers are calling on the government to subsidise traditional Chinese medicine for the underprivileged because public clinics do not meet growing demand. A Legislative Council subcommittee to review the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance scheme will today discuss the medical needs of elderly people on welfare payouts. A Ms Tsang, 68, prescribed herself Chinese herbal medicine after feeling too weak to queue for hours for a Chinese medicine consultation. The retiree has received chemotherapy for nasal cancer since 1999, which leaves her with constant irritation in her throat, nose and gums. As she receives CSSA, Ms Tsang is entitled to a fee waiver at government-run Chinese medicine clinics. The Hospital Authority has set up nine public Chinese medicine out-patient clinics since late 2003 and five more are planned. At least 20 per cent of consultation places at these clinics are allocated to welfare recipients, who do not have to pay the HK$120 fee for a general consultation and two doses of herbal medicines. She said she hoped the government would give her a subsidy so she could consult a private Chinese medical practitioner. "It costs me HK$80 to consult a private Chinese doctor, which is something I cannot afford." Bonnie Leung Mei-kuen, of the Society for Community Organisation, said the elderly who wanted traditional Chinese medicine treatment had to wait a long time because public services were inadequate. (South China Morning Post, 25/06/2007 : "Elderly seek Chinese medicine subsidies")
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