Carrying on the fine tradition of love and respect for the elders and care for the weak, the SAR Government will continue to enhance the mechanism and devote more resources to support the disadvantaged, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Accompanied by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, and officials from social affairs and education, Mr Chui this afternoon visited two social service agencies for the elders and children who needed special care. Mr Chui firstly visited a day centre for the elders where he was briefed on the daily activities the elders performed and the kind of medical treatment they are having. He then was introduced to the facilities in the physical therapy room, occupational therapy room and the multi-function room. Then he proceeded to the agency for the children, where he was introduced to the services and the facilities there. Mr Chui talked with the teachers to further understand the different problems the children faced. After the two visits, the Chief Executive held a meeting with members from the Social Services Committee and the Senior Citizen Affairs Committee, and listened to their views on problems and challenges such as the lack of human resources to provide services and supporting measures that the disadvantaged faced. Members from the Senior Citizen Affairs Committee also expressed their ideas and suggestion on the long term development of the Committee. Mr Chui said that the elderly have made a great contribution to Macao's economic development and they should be respected and looked after. He said the SAR Government will shoulder the responsibility in looking after them and promised to devote more resources via various channels. On the question of human resources, the Chief Executive said that aside from enhancing training courses, the Government will study the feasibility of introducing foreign care givers to look after the elders. Mr Chui thanked the members' comments and suggestions and said the related departments would study them seriously. He said the Government would try to put these opinions in the policy address so as to serve the disadvantaged better.
