Chief Executive Carrie Lam has led tributes to Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services) Lam Ka-tai who passed away today.

She said: “I worked with Ka-tai while I was the Director of Social Welfare from 2000 to 2003. I was deeply impressed by his enthusiasm for work, care for senior citizens and the disadvantaged groups and upholding of the profession of social workers.

“Modest and dedicated, he was willing to listen and resolved problems proactively, earning him the respect of the social welfare sector and the love of colleagues of the department.

“Ka-tai dearly loved his mother and was sincere to people, showing respect and care to senior citizens as if they were his own family members.”

Mrs Lam also noted that during her tenure as Director of Social Welfare, she joined forces with him to handle an urgent request for assistance from an elderly man, Uncle Fook.

“In the past decade or so, Ka-tai would accompany me to visit Uncle Fook during the Lunar New Year holidays and he also showed care for Uncle Fook's daily life in other times until he passed away not long ago.

“A role model for civil servants, Ka-tai continued to serve with his full passion and enthusiasm in the social welfare sector over the past 30 years or so.”

The Chief Executive said she is deeply shocked and saddened by his passing, adding that it is a tremendous loss for the government.

She extended her deepest condolences to Mr Lam's family, saying the Government will provide all necessary assistance for his funeral arrangements.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung also expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr Lam.

Mr Cheung said he worked closely with him from 2007 to 2017 on poverty alleviation, enhancement of social welfare planning and building a caring, compassionate and cohesive society when he served as Secretary for Labour & Welfare.

He also highlighted Mr Lam's strong passion for helping the poor and the disadvantaged.

“He was a highly committed and conscientious civil servant. He was a real gentleman, always courteous, helpful and sincere.

“KT was highly and widely respected by all in the Social Welfare Department and in the welfare sector.

“We have lost an outstanding social welfare policymaker and practitioner with a strong sense of professionalism.”

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said colleagues in the Labour & Welfare Bureau are saddened by Mr Lam’s passing and that it is a great loss to their team.

“In serving the Social Welfare Department for 33 years, his strong commitment to serve, hard work and quality performance earned respect from colleagues across disciplines as well as stakeholders, organisations and frontline personnel in the welfare sector.

“Regardless of positions, he was a good listener and communicator. He led his teams in implementing people-oriented welfare initiatives with a mission to help those in need and he fully demonstrated the professionalism of a social worker.” 

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip lauded Mr Lam as a conscientious and dedicated colleague who showed empathy and had served with strong commitment in his more than 30 years of public service.

“He would always be a role model for civil servants. On behalf of the civil service, I offer my deepest condolences to his family.”

Director of Social Welfare Gordon Leung also said he was deeply saddened to learn of Mr Lam's passing, adding that the department will make every effort to provide assistance for his family as appropriate.

Mr Lam joined the department in July 1987. He served as Assistant Director (Subventions) from September 2010 to June 2012 and Assistant Director (Rehabilitation & Medical Social Services) from June 2012 to September 2013.

He had served as Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services) since September 2013.

Mr Lam was found unconscious at the office and sent to the hospital on January 20. He passed away today.