What is a carer? Hong Kong needs to define term, collect more data to improve support services, concern groups say
- More than 50 representatives for concern and social welfare groups, as well as private individuals, speak at Legislative Council public hearing to address support for carers
- ‘The needs of carers are often ignored. With a clear definition of carers, we can work out measures in a more pragmatic and comprehensive way,’ one NGO says
Efforts to support overburdened carers in Hong Kong are being undermined by the absence of a definition for such roles or any census data, concern groups have told a public hearing at the city’s legislature.
More than 50 representatives of concern and social welfare groups, as well as private individuals, on Saturday urged authorities to formulate a carer-centric policy following a string of tragedies involving carers.
Advocates said the government should start by creating an official definition for carers, conducting a survey to determine how many there were and setting up an assessment mechanism to identify their needs.
“The needs of carers are often ignored. With a clear definition of carers, we can work out measures in a more pragmatic and comprehensive way,” said Lam Ki, of NGO the People Service Centre.
Lee Chi-yung, who cared for his daughter with severe intellectual and physical disabilities by himself until she died in 2018, said parents like him were not professionals and had difficulties finding available support services.