基層醫療助少數族裔長者「治未病、儲健康」

【社聯頻道】基層醫療助少數族裔長者「治未病、儲健康」
Providing preventive healthcare among ethnic minority seniors through Primary Healthcare

「我基本上明白醫生所說的話，但在藥物的問題上，若我說錯了，或是有誤解，或我未能表達或了解，需要服哪些藥，我在這方面有點擔憂，所以我通常帶著孫兒，到醫院求診時擔任翻譯。」南亞裔長者Gaha Thapa Kama Bahadur說。

因此，香港基督教服務處開展「耆望－少數族裔長者支援計劃」，服務一群居住在西九龍的南亞裔及東南亞裔長者，例如：推廣基層醫療、提升他們對公共及醫療服務的認識、促進華裔及少數族裔長者之間的文化交流，與及教育照顧者等等，7年來協助超過2000位少數族裔長者及照顧者。

「耆望」計劃主任劉慧幸指出，少數族裔人士在接收資訊上面對重要的語言障礙，部分少數族裔長者不懂得講中文或英文，甚至乎自己國家文字亦不太懂，他們連最基本的政府翻譯資訊及社會現況都不太清楚，例如：有超過八成少數族裔長者未接觸計劃之前，都不清楚香港提供了長者醫療劵的事等。而他們不懂得與本地人溝通，又不敢求醫，或者有病只懂去急症室求助，就算到了急診室亦不懂與醫生溝通，也不懂要求翻譯服務。

再者，藥物方面沒有提供翻譯服務，藥物標籤上只有中文或英文，少數族裔長者不太清楚標籤指示服用的份量，使用方法是搽或食，與及何時使用，引致他們返回自己的國家求醫後，把很多藥物帶回港使用，因為在香港亦有求醫，有機會覺得兩方的藥物都好重要，就一齊使用的狀況出現。

香港基督教服務處透過計劃及早辨識到在社區有需要的社群，及早介入，讓少數族裔長者及早得到醫治，例如：「三高」長者及健康上的需要，計劃聯繫了團體提供健康講座給予他們，講他們學到自己管理病痛。劉姑娘指整個計劃的主要目的是聯繫到附近的長者中心，畢竟計劃始終是一個有期限的社區服務，長遠的支援來說，還是需要讓少數族裔長者回到附近的長者中心尋求協助。

“I do understand basic conversations with the doctor. But then in terms of medication. If I do speak something wrong, or if I misunderstand, or if I am not able to explain or understand. What medication I was supposed to take. I am a bit afraid of that part. So I normally take my grandson as an interpreter for my visits to the hospital” South Asian elderly Mr. Gaha Thapa Kama Bahadur said.

Therefore, the Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) launched The “Support to Ethnic Elderly” (SEE) Project serving a group of South and Southeast Asian seniors living in West Kowloon. For example, promoting primary healthcare; raising their awareness of public and health services; boosting cultural exchange between Chinese and ethnic minority elders; educating caregivers, etc. In the past 7 years, they have assisted over 2000 ethnic minority elders and caregivers.

Ms Peggy Lau, Project Leader of HKCS, said that the ethnic minority elders face severe language barriers in receiving information. But for these seniors who speak no Chinese or English, or even not literate in their own country's language. They are not clear about what is happening in the society and the simplest of translated government information. For example, HKCS has over 80% of ethnic minority elders before learning about us. They knew nothing about the Health Care Voucher scheme.

They afraid to seek medical help because not knowing how to communicate with Chinese or only know to go to emergency rooms for help. And even at ER were unable to communicate with doctors. They do not know to ask for translation service.

There is no translation service for them in this area. When picking up their medication., the labels are only in Chinese or English. They are not sure how much to take. Whether the medication is to be applied or taken orally, and when to take them.

As a result, they may return to their home country for medical treatment. Then return to Hong Kong with a lot of medication. But as they also seek medical treatment in Hong Kong. And may regard medication from both places. They think the medication are very important, so they take them all together.

SEE Project is identifying groups in need within the community. It is early intervention and early treatment. For example, seniors with "3-Highs" or health needs. HKCS contacts the professionals to give health talks. Help them learn about and manage their own illnesses and know what their chronic illnesses are.

The main purpose of this programme is connection with nearby elderly centres. HKCS programme is a limited term community service. In terms of provision of long-run support, HKCS still need to return to the nearby elderly centres. So that they receive help in their own neighbourhood.

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