THE Shenzhen Municipal Government will give 1,000 yuan (US$125) each to dying permanent residents who are in need of nursing care, the municipal civil affairs bureau said Wednesday (Dec 27).

The "end-of-life care program" will be trialed in Shenzhen starting Jan. 1, marking the first time that a local government in China has made it an official policy. The money is intended to ensure that elderly people who have less than six months to live are able to die with dignity and peace, said Liu Runhua, director general of the civil affairs bureau.

A total of 2,164 elderly people holding Shenzhen hukou died last year.

The municipal government will give an estimated 2.2 million yuan to needy seniors in 2007. All the money will come from Shenzhen's welfare lottery pool, said Liu.

Families of the dying will be able to apply for an end-of-life care service card and pay for nursing provided by welfare centers, medical institutions, community health service centers and NGOs using the card. The families will be refunded 1,000 yuan after the death of the patient.

The nursing can be availed of at home or in medical institutions. Most Chinese prefer to pass away in their own home instead of in hospital, said Liu.

The government has also encouraged NGOs to provide services to the elderly. A total of 20 million yuan will be earmarked to subsidize 1,000 community NGOs, so that elderly people can receive services in their own communities.

Editor: Wing