Social welfare deputy director dies at 59

The Deputy Director of Social Welfare, Lam Ka-tai, has died at the age of 59, after falling into a coma in office more than a week ago.

It’s been reported that Lam was found unconscious at the Social Welfare Department’s headquarters in Wanchai on 20 January.

His condition deteriorated and he passed away on Saturday morning.

The Chief Executive Carrie Lam, along with several top government officials, expressed deep sorrow over his death.

“I worked with Ka-tai while I was the Director of Social Welfare from 2000 to 2003. I was deeply impressed by his enthusiasm for work, care for senior citizens and the disadvantaged groups and upholding of the profession of social workers,” said Lam in a statement.

“Modest and dedicated, he was willing to listen and resolved problems proactively, earning him the respect of the social welfare sector and the love of colleagues of the department,” she said.

“With Ka-tai’s departure, we have lost a best friend and best colleague. It is also a tremendous loss for the government,” the CE said.

The Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said in a statement that he has known Lam for 22 years and praised him as “a highly committed and conscientious civil servant”.

“We have lost an outstanding social welfare policymaker and practitioner with a strong sense of professionalism. I have lost a brilliant colleague and true friend,” Cheung said.