Health & Community

Child assessment a continual process

(July 26, 2015)

Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man said child development assessment is a continual process, and the Government will take follow-up action for children whose development falls behind set milestones.
 
The Department of Health has carried out assessment on 23 children living in estates affected by lead-tainted water. Three were found to have fallen behind in certain development milestones.
 
Speaking to reporters today, Dr Ko said they will receive follow-up assessments at the Government’s child assessment clinic.
 
He explained there are a set of developmental milestones for each age group covering motor development, sensory development and social development, and experts will evaluate a child’s state of development against the milestones when conducting the assessment.
 
He added that it is a complicated issue and pointed out that while lead could have an impact on a child’s development, a line has not been drawn on the level that would cause developmental delay.