Executive Councillor Lam Ching-choi on Saturday said the government would ensure that victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po – especially those who lost loved ones – receive urgent mental-health support.

Speaking after a Commercial Radio programme, Lam, who chairs the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, said the first month after the tragedy was the most critical as it was when severe post-traumatic stress symptoms often emerge.

“We will pair NGOs with relevant bereavement experience with them so that we can accompany them during this difficult time and provide appropriate counselling,” he said.

“Sometimes even they may need to see a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist, and some of them may need therapy so we'll make sure all these resources are available for these families with deceased members.”

Lam noted that since many victims had been relocated to various transitional housing units across different districts, the government would borrow the model used by the Hospital Authority in its “Oasis Programme” to provide psychological and counselling services to medical professionals at their workplaces.

That, he said, would see more psychiatric nurses and trained social workers deployed in those districts, he said, this will create on-site “mental health oases” to support the recovery of Wang Fuk Court victims.

Lam acknowledged that a lack of manpower remained a major challenge and said the committee would discuss the issue in detail next week.

When asked whether the committee had received additional funding from the government, Lam said there was no financial pressure at this stage as the general public has already shown strong generosity.

“Out of this disaster, we see many Hong Kong people willing to contribute in material and even financial support,” he said.

“As for government funding, we have actually collected quite a huge amount of money, and there is more money as well as more foundations and charities willing to chip in. So at this juncture in time, I don't think we have a restriction or limitation on finances.”