Elderly allowance expands to Guangdong
October 12, 2011
Chief Executive Donald Tsang says the Government will introduce a new “Guangdong Scheme” under the Social Security Allowance Scheme to provide an old age allowance for eligible Hong Kong elderly people who choose to reside in Guangdong. The rate will be the same as that for the local Old Age Allowance in Hong Kong.
In his 2011-12 Policy Address today, Mr Tsang said upon approval, recipients will be able to receive a full-year allowance in Guangdong without the need to come back to Hong Kong. The Labour & Welfare Bureau will shortly announce the key features.
The scheme is based on considerations that currently Hong Kong elderly people settled on the Mainland mostly live in Guangdong. Given the policies under the Hong Kong-Guangdong Co-operation Framework, the two places will become more closely integrated and travel will be more convenient. Local elderly people who have moved to Guangdong can still maintain close contact with their relatives and friends here and obtain family support easily.
Medical support
Apart from financial means and living environment, Mr Tsang said access to medical services is another consideration for senior citizens when deciding whether to settle on the Mainland.
The liberalisation measures for the medical sector under the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement allow Hong Kong medical practitioners to practice or set up clinics or hospitals on the Mainland. Senior citizens residing there can also receive Hong Kong-style medical services.
The first hospital jointly established by the University of Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities will come into operation early next year. The Government will continue to strengthen co-operation between hospitals in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and streamline the formalities for setting up clinics and hospitals there.
Mr Tsang said the Government will also explore with Guangdong cross-boundary patient conveyance arrangements to make it more convenient for Hong Kong patients residing on the Mainland to return to Hong Kong for medical treatment.
