“Dignity Home Kong Community” is the dream of NGO representatives from Hong Kong for the future of their city. They came together as a rare opportunity, on invitation of the Hong Kong University School of Public Health. In a workshop from the 4th to the 7th of November 2024, The Constellation facilitation team with Rapeepun Jommaroeng (Ohm) and Marlou de Rouw introduced The Constellation’s approach SALT and CLCP, with the aim to increase community ownership of health measures.
Life expectancy in Hong Kong is the highest in the world, but how can we make sure that those years are lived in dignity? Healthcare is accessible for all… unless you are undocumented, a refugee or a domestic worker in difficulties: how can we reach out in a way that is inclusive for all cultures? Those were questions that the workshop participants pondered about. What a nice discovery that a range of knowledge and experience was already present with peers in the room!
The Constellation is looking forward to accompanying further application of SALT and CLCP in their work from now onward.
Community ownership of health was further explored during a 90-minute presentation at the summit ‘Primary Health Care Reform: Towards a Better Future’. Marlou de Rouw and Rapeepun Jommaroeng represented the work, experience, and approach of The Constellation, as a contribution to upcoming reforms in Hong Kong. Moderator Prof. David Bishai, Director of the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong, expressed the intention of his school to integrate modules on Community Ownership of Health in their curriculum.
Prof. Sophia Chan, Director at HKU Primary Health Care Academy, comments: “When you want to work in a community on a bottom-up approach, you need engagement skills. I think that SALT is not only a very good framework and reminder for us all when we do community health projects, or working in the community. Also, I think it can be trained. So, I am very happy to hear Professor Bishai say that it will be in their curriculum.”
