Insufficiency of Medical Facilities in the Lamma Island   ( 2012/09/10 )

Lamma Island is the third largest island in Hong Kong and one of the oldest inhabited areas in the history of Hong Kong. However, in the past decades, many villagers, especially those from Southern side, had moved out of Lamma Island in order to get a job in the city centre. The population as well as the public facilities are not evenly distributed on the island. The insufficiency of medical facilities combined with the sparse population in Lamma Island expose the residents to risk when there are accidents.

According to the residents of Yung Shue Ha Village, the insufficient medical facilities and planning have caused a great deal of inconvenience to them. At the moment, there is only one health center and one clinic, located at the Northern Lamma and they all have limited opening hours. Therefore, the villagers living in the Southern Lamma are rather helpless should there be an accident. In June this year, an old lady who lives alone, accidentally fell on her back and had to seek emergency treatment. Due to the lack of facilities in Lamma Island, the villagers’ only option was to lift her to the helipad between Mo Tat and Yung Shue Ha before medical staff can transfer her to a hospital in Hong Kong Island by helicopter. In the end, it took few hours to send the lady to Queen Mary Hospital. Another unfortunate incident happened a few weeks ago. A resident, who went fishing daily, suspected to suffer from heart attack due to heat stroke. It took 4 hours to take him to the hospital for emergency medical services. Sadly, he passed away after 2 days of hospitalisation.

In fact, the Southern Lamma residents are used to these delayed responses as there is nothing they can do to remedy the situation of inadequate medical facilities. Mr. Chow, one of the villagers living in Tung O Village, told the media that he holds positive views to the idea of having development project in Lamma Island as long as it can improve the facilitates available to the residents.

No doubt, many Hong Kong people and tourists love to go to Lamma Island, for its tranquil, relaxed, and simple atmosphere which is entirely different from other regions in Hong Kong. For residents who live there, Lamma Island is not only a place of natural beauty but is also a unique place they called ‘home’. Should the views of the locals on the development of Lamma Island be heard and respected?

(1) March 8, 2012, Ming Pao A30: "Groups advocate the Development of Fisheries in Lamma Island” 明報A30:《團體倡加強南丫島漁業發展》




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