Calls Grow For Hospital Visits To Be Allowed Again

Calls are mounting for health authorities to start allowing hospital visits again, now that the pandemic situation in Hong Kong has improved.

Hospital visits have largely been suspended since January to help limit the spread of Covid-19.

The move has meant that a lot of families and friends of patients in hospital have been unable to see their loved ones and offer them support.

One woman told an RTHK programme on Wednesday morning that her 70-year-old husband has been in hospital for more than a month after an operation, and has not been allowed any family visits.

She said that because her husband does not have a phone, she has not been able to communicate with him, and was hoping officials would lift restrictions on hospital visits to allow at least one family member in.

Speaking on the same programme, Health Secretary Sophia Chan acknowledged that a lot of people do want to visit relatives in hospital and said that if there are special circumstances, people can approach the Hospital Authority who will evaluate requests and strike a balance to ensure public health is not put at risk.

Alex Lam, the chairman of Hong Kong Patients' Voices, said regular hospital visits are especially important for those who are terminally ill or are unable to take care of themselves.

"If family members can visit them and serve them with food or help them with cleaning, that will be important for their recovery," Lam said.

He added that the authorities should announce plans to relax visiting restrictions as quickly as possible, so people can prepare beforehand.

There have been no locally-acquired Covid-19 cases for 17 consecutive days in Hong Kong, with the total number of confirmed cases standing at 1,040.

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