Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the deaths of three young girls at a flat in Sham Shui Po, calling on the public to protect children and help those in need.

The plea came a day after police arrested a 29-year-old woman suspected of suffocating her three daughters to death.

"No matter what happens in a family, violence is not the solution, it would only exacerbate the problem. Same as every human being, every child has a right to live. No one should take away their lives. We must protect our children. There is always a very complicated array of factors behind family tragedies," Lee told reporters.

"Those in need should actively approach others for assistance... I also appeal to everyone that Hong Kong is our home, we live in the community, we should help each other out. We should remind those in need to get help, and if need be, we should also inform the relevant government departments."

The CE said officials and non-governmental organisations will continue to provide support to those in need in the next few days, including people from ethnic minorities.

Lee said the government is seeking to boost partnerships between the public and private sectors, following the girls' deaths and a double fatal stabbing at a mall in Diamond Hill last Friday.

"We want to put both public and private resources into addressing these issues, promoting cross-sectoral collaboration. In private healthcare, there are committed healthcare professionals and are willing to provide help," he said. "In medicine, social welfare, and other sectors, we try to get people to work together."

The government will also make use of district care teams as they are familiar with the ins-and-outs of the community, Lee said, adding that they can provide assistance as soon as possible.