The government has set up two cross-departmental coordination groups: one to ensure the implementation of its new 10-Year Action Plan for Elderly Services, and another for its new 10-Year Action Plan for Rehabilitation Services.
The two action plans cover the period between 2026 and 2035, following the completion of their respective predecessors covering the period between 2016 and 2025.
The establishment of the two cross-departmental coordination groups has been formalised through two executive orders by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, published in the Official Gazette (BO) yesterday. Sam signed the two orders on July 3.
The two executive orders take effect today following their promulgation in the gazette yesterday.
According to the gazette, the elderly coordination group, officially named the Cross-departmental Coordination Group for the Elderly Protection Mechanism, will coordinate and promote actions aimed at achieving the policy goals of Macau’s elderly protection mechanism. It will also promote the implementation of the measures outlined in the 10-Year Action Plan for Elderly Services, in order to address the opportunities and challenges that an ageing society presents to Macau.
Similarly, the rehabilitation coordination group, officially named the Cross-departmental Coordination Group for the 10-Year Action Plan for Rehabilitation Services, will coordinate and promote actions aimed at achieving the policy goals outlined by the action plan, while promoting the implementation of the respective measures to better help people with disabilities undergo rehabilitation and integrate into society.
The two action plans were drawn up by the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS).
According to the gazette, the two cross-departmental coordination groups are headed by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Wallis O Lam, with the director of the Social Welfare Bureau serving as the deputy head of both groups.
Each of the two coordination groups consists of officials from various public entities.
According to the gazette, the two cross-departmental coordination groups are each required to draw up an implementation plan every year for the two subsequent years and submit it to the chief executive for review, ensuring that the respective measures can swiftly respond to Macau’s latest socioeconomic development.
The two coordination groups are also tasked with promoting the participation of the respective social service organisations in the implementation of the two action plans.
The two groups are also responsible for proposing amendments to the two action plans in line with the city’s latest socioeconomic development.
This photo taken in April this year shows the Seac Pai Van Health and Social Services Building in Coloane, which houses elderly and rehabilitation facilities run by social service organisations. – Photo: Tony Wong
