Next policy address should focus on early childhood education

Hong Kong has gone through dramatic moments over the last few months.

It is now time to restore the connectedness and solidarity in society. In his policy address the chief executive should tackle equity and social justice.

Equity is about doing what ought to be done and social justice ensures individuals fulfil their societal roles and receive what is due from society. Resource distribution should be based on needs, involving the accumulation of human, social, economic and ecological capital. A high level of literacy, good health and optimal living conditions are the pillars that enable this goal to be reached.

There is abundant evidence that positive early childhood development is important. Universal access to quality early childhood education enables young children to be nurtured in the right social environment. This has a positive impact on brain development, affecting their cognition and emotional reactivity, resulting in high returns regarding human and economic capital. This can help children from the grass-roots sector escape the poverty trap later in life.

Hong Kong faces the challenges of an ageing population, with increased prevalence of chronic illnesses and rising health-care expenditure. Research has shown the cost effectiveness of community-based care integrated with institutional care.

Around half the medical workforce is in the private sector providing the majority of primary medical services. A change in the system of health-care financing is needed to commission services from primary care providers in the private sector to care for patients with relatively stable chronic illnesses under the Hospital Authority. This will enable public hospitals to streamline services for critically ill patients.