The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government plans to set a fund of 200 million Hong Kong dollars (US$25.6 million) for the medical workers, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said Tuesday.
Noting medical workers have contributed greatly in the war against SARS, Tung said, following talks with frontline medical staff, that all the Hong Kong people will always remember the brave medical workers with gratitude.
"I'm here really to say thank you to those frontline medical staff and also those in the administration who have given themselves selflessly to Hong Kong," he said.
Tung said the purpose of the fund is to allow those people who have been so valiant in helping fight this disease the opportunity to go to further training, or further studies, and at the same time for those who have been affected by SARS.
Medical care is now an actual risk on the frontline against SARS. Up to now, some 320 medical workers have been affected with the virus. Even though, they are still busy on duty and therefore have already become real heroes for many Hong Kong residents.
As to the government fund, Tung said he knows that many, many in the community have already made contributions or want to make contributions.
"So I hope this government fund will grow in size as the community contributions come in," he added.
(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2003)
