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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The redeveloped Wai Ming Block (New Ambulatory and Rehabilitation Block) at Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) was officially opened by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, this afternoon (March 3). The CMC completed its Phase 2 Redevelopment Project last year, including the "in-situ" redevelopment of Wai Ming Block and demolition of Wai Tak, Wai On and Wai Yan Blocks for provision of a rehabilitation garden to meet the increasing demand on medical services by the community.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man; the Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Professor John Leong; the HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin; Auxiliary Bishop of Hong Kong, the Most Reverend Michael Yeung; the Chairman of the CMC Hospital Governing Committee, Professor David Cheung; the Chairman of Sham Shui Po District Council, Mr Ambrose Cheung; Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Michael Lee; Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon West Cluster, Dr Nancy Tung; and CMC Hospital Chief Executive, Dr Doris Tse.
In his welcoming address, Professor Leong said, "The overall construction area of the new Wai Ming Block is over 54 000 square metres, which is almost 20 000 square metres larger than the old building. The additional space can accommodate 20 extra rehabilitation beds, 100 consultation rooms for different specialties and three brand new day surgery operating theatres, and an additional of 115 medical staff have been added. Overall service quantities and capabilities have been enhanced.
"The rehabilitation facilities were also optimised at the same time, including modern facilities for rehabilitation training and a hydrotherapy room for both physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Furthermore, the pleasant environment of the newly built rehabilitation garden also offers a good activity site for users."
Also speaking at the ceremony, Professor Cheung gave thanks for everyone's enthusiasm and the donations by the organisations, in particular the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, the support by the Food and Health Bureau, Architectural Services Department, the HA Head Office, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, Caritas Hong Kong and the Sham Shui Po District Council. He also thanked the CMC staff and the public for their benevolence and understanding, which all facilitated the successful completion of the project.
The Most Reverend Michael Yeung gave his blessing to the new Wai Ming Block at the ceremony.
Caritas Medical Centre was opened in 1964. To cope with the ageing and growing population, the Phase 1 Redevelopment Project was completed in 2002. Funding for the Phase 2 Redevelopment Project amounting to $1,719.6 million was approved in 2007. The whole project was completed in 2015.
Ends/Thursday, March 3, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:10
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