Financial assistance will be granted to the families of three healthcare workers who died of SARS and a Police officer who drowned in a rescue attempt.

The Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others considered the four cases at its first meeting this afternoon.

The four cases include Tuen Mun Hospital nurse Lau Wing-kai, Senior Police Inspector Leung Bo-ming, Tuen Mun Hospital doctor Tse Yuen-man and United Christian Hospital health care assistant Tang Heung-may.

In recognition of their gallant acts, the committee endorsed financial assistance for the families. About $3 million will be granted in each case.

This is the first time funds have been approved under the scheme.

"All four have sacrificed their lives to save others. The high levels of professionalism displayed, as well as their selfless devotion to the Hong Kong community, command our greatest respect," said committee Chairman Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong.

The assistance, different from compensation, represents the Government's recognition of the gallant acts and its respect for the heroism they displayed in serving the people of Hong Kong.

The scheme was set up in January last year. A committee chaired by the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food and comprising four non-official members, was set up to serve as the approving authority for the scheme. 

Financial assistance ranging from $3 million to $6 million will be disbursed independent of any other assistance or compensation the family might receive in relation to the death. Payment will be funded from the Government's General Revenue. 

Eligibility criteria:

* The deceased was lawfully residing in Hong Kong at the time of death;

* The death resulted from the deceased proactively rendering assistance to save or protect the life of another person; and,

* The deceased should have identifiable surviving family members as defined in the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.