The Wong Tai Sin District Health Centre opened today. Addressing the opening ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee remarked that the setting up of district health centres (DHCs) in 18 districts across the city is an important step in strengthening the primary healthcare system to bring changes to overall healthcare strategies and promote a prevention‑focused, early intervention mindset in the community.

Mr Lee said that primary healthcare is the first point of contact to the healthcare system for the public and it plays a crucial part in improving the overall health of citizens.

He noted that the DHCs hold an important position in primary healthcare. They will take up the work in the co-ordination of services, identification of people with high health risks and referral of relevant people for healthcare attention under the concept of "family doctor for all" and the Chronic Diseases Co-Care Scheme put forward in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint.

At present, all 18 districts are served by either a DHC or DHC Express. Aside from providing services at core centres, these DHCs or DHC Expresses also contact and serve citizens through satellite centres or through outreach vehicles and teams.

The Wong Tai Sin DHC located at Kai Chuen Court of Diamond Hill is operated by Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council. It has commenced services in phases since the end of June last year.

With a multi-disciplinary team comprising nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, social workers and supporting staff, the centre provides citizens with Government subsidised primary healthcare services, including health promotion, health assessment and screening, chronic disease management and community rehabilitation.

The centre is equipped with a health assessment zone where nurses and pharmacists provide health assessment and counselling, and activity rooms for conducting health education and chronic disease management courses.

In addition, innovative technology is applied in the centre's rehabilitation room, multi-exercise room, and interactive sensory and activity rooms to provide effective chronic disease management and community rehabilitation services.