Hei Ling Chau [????- ]

Submitted by philk on Thu, 10/23/2008 - 13:56
Current condition
Unknown

Hei Ling Chau is the site of the former leper colony. Booth and family went to the island to attend a fund raising event.

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Photos that show this Place

Lepers-HK.jpg
1964

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Full version can be seen on the following govt website: http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_1242006/html/EIA_Report/Section_9.htm

- Originally named as Nai Gu Island (尼姑洲).

- settled at the end of the 19th century by three clans: Lam, Tsang and Ng clans.

- Designated as a leper colony in 1950 and the islanders (10 families numbering about 100 peple) were relocated to Tai Pak, Shap Long and Cheung Chau.

- 1951 saw the leporsarium established under the auspices of Dr Neil Duncan Fraser. At this time the island was renamed to Hei Ling Chau.

- 1960's maximum intake of 540 patients was reached.

- 1974 the colony was closed down, leprosy being under control, and remaining patients were transferred to Lai Chi Kok Hospital.

- Subsequently taken over by the CSD (Correctional Services Dept).

- 1980's it was used (as were many other outlying islands) to house Vietnamese illegal immigrants waiting repatriation.

- Currently used by a couple of correctional instutions and a drug rehabilitation centre.

My wife and I visited the island by invitation in 1965. We were given a tour of the facility by the then Medical Superintendent Dr. Grace Warren (Australian). She was a locum tenens at the mission from circa 1959. By 1962 she was appointed permanent Superintendent. We were very impressed with her work even though we have no medical training. It was a privilege to meet Dr. Warren and tour the facility.