The Government has appointed Dr Leong Che-hung as Chairman of the Elderly Commission and Professor Alfred Chan as Vice-Chairman. 

It has also appointed six new members and re-appointed three incumbent members. All the appointments will take effect from July 30 for a two-year term.

Dr Leong is a private medical practitioner specialising in urology. He has extensive experience in public service and is the Chairperson of the Council on Human Reproductive Technology.

He was Hospital Authority Chairman from October 2002 to September 2004 and served as a Legislative Councillor from 1988 to 2000. 

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow expressed gratitude to Dr Leong for taking up this important position when population ageing posed many challenges to Hong Kong.

"Dr Leong's wealth of experience in health and welfare matters made him eminently suitable for the appointment to lead the commission in providing advice to the Government on elderly policies," he added.

Vice-chairman boasts wealth of gerontology expertise

Prof Chan is a professor in Sociology & Gerontology at the Lingnan University and an academic in ageing research and studies. He is Director of the Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies and Consultant for the Expert Group on Ageing Policy, United Nation Economics and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Dr Chow was confident that Prof Chan, with his expertise in sociology and gerontology, would provide valuable input to the future work of the Elderly Commission.

The six new members are Kenneth Chan, Chan Han-pan, Prof Helen Chiu, Rev Dorothy Lau, Leo Ma, and Dr Loretta Yam.

The three incumbent members who have been re-appointed are Dr Susie Lum, Star Chan and Dr Lam Ching-choi.

Dr Chow looked forward to the contribution of members who came from various social backgrounds and areas of expertise in the development of elderly services in Hong Kong.

He also thanked the outgoing members -Tam Yiu-chung, Prof Iris Chi, Peggy Lam, Dr Raymond Wu, Michael Lai and Peter Wong - for their valuable contributions during their tenure. He particularly commended Tam Yiu-chung for his strong leadership and sterling work in steering the commission since its inception in 1997.

Membership list

The new membership list of the Elderly Commission is as follows:

*Dr Leong Che-hung (Chairman);

*Prof Alfred Chan (Vice-Chairman);

*Dr Ng Yau-yung;

*Dr Susie Lum;

*Anita Wong;

*Star Chan;

*Dr Lam Ching-choi;

*Prof Jean Woo;

*Kenneth Chan;

*Chan Han-pan;

*Prof Helen Chiu;

*Rev Dorothy Lau;

*Leo Ma;

*Dr Loretta Yam;

*Secretary for Education & Manpower or representative;

*Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food or representative;

*Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands or representative;

*Director of Health or representative;

*Director of Housing or representative;

*Director of Social Welfare or representative; and