Hong Kong Connection
Bridging the Gap in Animal Healthcare
07/10/2024
內容
CONTENT
07/10/2024
According to the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong, as of September 30, 2022, there are approximately 1,094 registered veterinary surgeons in Hong Kong. On the other hand, information submitted to the Legislative Council by the Food and Health Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in 2021 showed that the ratio of veterinarians to pets in Hong Kong was 1:410 in 2018, compared to 1:2,543 in Singapore and 1:2,374 in the UK. Some pet owners complain about the shortage of veterinarians and the high costs.
Additionally, the first batch of veterinary graduates from the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong officially registered to practice in Hong Kong in October 2023, signifying that Hong Kong will gradually welcome a new generation of locally-trained veterinarians. Compared to the previously imported veterinarians, will the local graduates gain market recognition? And how will their addition impact the local veterinary market?
集數
EPISODES
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New Sports
In the 2023 Policy Address, the government proposed a sports development policy that includes promoting sports in the community, and supporting community organisations in organising various sports activities and competitions. New sports have become a key focus of recent government promotion efforts. Through the 2023-24 'Pilot Scheme on Subvention for New Sports', the Leisure and Cultural Services Department allocated funding to 21 local sports organizations, supporting over twenty new sports like teqball, pickleball, sport stacking, and Mölkky.
Nevertheless, a lack of venues poses a significant challenge for many sports. In response, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has allocated designated venues for pilot programs to support new sports. Will this initiative meet the needs of different organizations? How should the development of new sports in Hong Kong be positioned?16/12/2024收看 -
Home-Based Child Carers
The Government encourage childbirth, expanding infant care and preschool child care services, as well as increasing the incentives for home-based child carers. The Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, which includes the home-based child carer service, has been running for over a decade. Originally, it aimed to provide temporary child care for dual-income parents through neighbourhood mutual aid while also offering local homemakers or retirees an opportunity to work and earn subsidies, creating a win-win situation. However, does the volunteer-based model of home-based child carers meet the current societal expectations for child care?
09/12/2024收看 -
Revive and Thrive in Hawking
Hawkers were once a deeply human part of Hong Kong's street culture. However, since the 1970s, the government has relocated many vendors to designated areas or public markets. It also halted the issuance of new hawker licences and imposed restrictions on the inheritance succession and transfer of existing licences. As a result, the number of licensed hawkers has declined. As of December 2023, there are approximately 5,053 f fixed-pitch hawkers and about 270 itinerant hawkers in Hong Kong. While public opinions on hawking vary, some argue that hawkers benefit grassroot communities and attract tourists. Will society consider establishing a robust licensing system for hawker markets and implementing long term conservation and support policies to revitalize and develop hawking culture, preserving this traditional aspect of street culture?
02/12/2024收看 -
Hidden Elderly
According to the 2021 Population Census, there are about 320,000 elderly singletons and elderly couple households in Hong Kong. Among them, there is a notable number of “hidden elderly” who are socially withdrawn, lacking in family or peer support, and disconnected from normal social networks and activities. They also do not know how to seek assistance from social service providers. The Labour and Welfare Bureau's data in 2023 shows that there are currently 214 elderly community centres in Hong Kong, and around 9,000 hidden elderly and needy are receiving case follow-up services. What are the needs of these "hidden elderly" behind our vibrant and prosperous society? Can the current policies adequately address their needs?
25/11/2024收看 -
Education in Transition
With the declining birth rate in Hong Kong, the school-age population has been steadily decreasing, leading a number of schools, including long-established traditional ones, to face the challenge of under-enrolment. The Education Bureau estimates that the Primary One school-age population will drop from 57,000 in 2023 to around 50,000 by 2029, suggesting that the issue of under-enrolment is unlikely to be alleviated in the short term. The government has introduced support policies, and the Education Bureau has provided various solutions. But can these measures effectively help schools? What strategies and actions are schools taking to avoid closure?
18/11/2024收看 -
Path to Waste Reduction
(The programme's Chinese version was telecast on 23/05/2024)
Starting 1st April 2024, the government implemented a Municipal Solid Waste Charging Demonstration Scheme to gather feedback from various types of venues and personnel. Beyond the fees, the key is how to gradually reduce waste at the source and improve recycling efforts, encouraging everyone to minimize waste disposal. Many countries have long journeys in waste reduction, and Germany is a pioneer in Europe with its advanced waste management and recycling policies. Using a well-developed recycling system and producer responsibility, Germany has significantly reduced packaging waste and increased recycling rates. In recent years, Hong Kong has strengthened its plastic-free policies and actively promoted waste recycling. What are the results, and what challenges have been faced? Germany's experience could offer valuable insights.11/11/2024收看 -
Food Waste’s Way Out
(The programme's Chinese version was telecast on 14/03/2024)
According to Environmental Protection Department, in 2022, approximately 11,000 tonnes of urban municipal solid waste (MSW) were disposed in landfills each day. Food waste constitutes the largest portion, accounting for 30%. Enhancing food waste recycling and reducing disposal have become inevitable challenges for households, restaurants, food manufacturers, and others. The government has been gradually expanding the food waste collection network, including the trial use of smart food waste bins in public and private housing estates. How effective has it been in cultivating citizens' habits of food waste recycling? Are the technologies and facilities ready to handle the large amount of food waste collected?04/11/2024收看 -
Tech-savvy Seniors
Redeeming consumption vouchers, using the "LeaveHomeSafe" app, ordering meals at restaurants, making service reservations or even shopping online can all be done with just a smartphone. This highlights the indispensability of smartphones and social media for urbanites today. In Hong Kong, about two-thirds of elders aged 65 or above own a smartphone. However, some of them still face challenges in adapting to digital technology. With the widespread use of information technology in recent years, many elders are actively learning and engaging in the digital world to enrich their lives. How does digital technology reshape elder’s daily lives to keep pace with modern demands?
28/10/2024收看 -
Hope for ALS Patients
The 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign brought global attention to the needs of ALS patients. However, nearly ten years later, ALS patients in Hong Kong still face various difficulties. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as ALS, causes deteriorating mobility, requiring long-term family care and inevitably placing a heavy burden on families. Self-help organizations have been advocating for better social welfare policies for patients and supporting them to ensure that those with ALS can live better lives in the time they have left.
21/10/2024收看 -
The World of The Metaverse and Entertainment
The government has proposed promoting the development of the cultural and creative industries with the goal of establishing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange. They also emphasized the establishment of an I & T ecosystem, focusing on developing AI and related technologies to drive growth across industries. Some entertainment companies have seized the opportunities brought by new technologies, introducing metaverse concerts and AI virtual singers to the Hong Kong market. Additionally, technology companies have created AI virtual artistes for real-world advertising campaigns, aiming to capture a market share. With the emergence of Web 3.0, businesses are exploring innovative ways for audience-artiste interactions, expanding markets and exploring their economic benefits. Can the integration of new technologies and business models enhance Hong Kong's cultural exports and strengthen its soft power? What additional support do these enterprises need to take their endeavors to the next level?
14/10/2024收看
