Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said more will be done to support carers, after two brothers reportedly starved to death after their mother was taken into hospital.

The Hospital Authority earlier said the two middle-aged men, who are said to have had intellectual disabilities, had visited their mother in Kowloon Hospital twice on their own in June and July.

The authority said it learnt from the men's younger sibling that the pair, who lived in Sau Mau Ping, were able to go out and get food.

Speaking ahead of the weekly Exco meeting, Lee said the government and welfare organisations should work together to build a "society with mutual support".

"We attach importance to support given to carers. Apart from giving support to carers, we have to see whether there are any hidden cases that require our support. Of course the government is responsible in this regard," he said.

"Organisations that provide welfare support should enhance their effort to offer help to those in need or carers."

The CE added that district care teams will be deployed to get in touch with families who need help.

Meanwhile, the welfare secretary Chris Sun said they have received 127 calls to the hotline for carers in the first 14 hours of its launch.

The official said many callers made general inquiries, and some were seeking emotional support or temporary residential services.
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Last updated: 2023-09-26 HKT 22:24