Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong - Essay Example

Social and Cultural Diversity in Healthcare

Effects of Historical and Current Events, Healthcare Policies, and Service Provision on the Minority Groups in Hong Kong Compared to the Local Chinese Community

Historical events and existing healthcare policies can influence the health of communities. Notably, understanding the historical factors that influence a community’s health is one of the effective ways of assessing the community’s unique health needs. Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong have been experiencing a form of discrimination, social exclusion, and deprivation. Notably, the Chinese society does not recognise the ethnic minorities, who are majorly immigrants from South Asia. Many of the ethnic immigrants from neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, and India have been living in Hong Kong for a long time. Recent statistics indicate that more than 5% of the Hong Kong population comprises the ethnic minorities. The South Asian ethnic minority groups have been victims of discrimination for a long time (Chan et al. 2015). Many scholars have not given attention to the issue, explaining why there is limited literature addressing the case of inequality and social exclusion of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. The cultural set up of the minority groups and that of the Chinese citizens in Hong Kong is quite different. Particularly, the ethnic minorities can speak English but lack fluency in Chinese. As a result, they are unable to interact with the greater Chinese population in Hong Kong.

Different factors compelled immigrants from South Asia to move into Hong Kong. Particularly, unfavourable economic situations in South Asia compelled these ethnic immigrants to move to Hong Kong in search for better opportunities. Unfortunately, many of these ethnic minorities have been unable to experience a measure of assimilation into the Chinese culture. Many of the Hong Kong Chinese citizens are reluctant to embrace the ethnic minorities as part of their greater society. As a result, the ethnic minorities have become subjects of discrimination in various circumstances. Current reports indicate that immigrants in Hong Kong lack the access to equal opportunities that other Chinese residents experience (Bun 2006). Notably, the social exclusion of the ethnic minorities has served to make the living conditions for the minority groups unbearable. The failure to participate in different social activities, civil duties, and community events affect the welfare of the ethnic minorities. The existing literature reveals that there is a close link between ethnicity and social exclusion (Tsung & Gao 2012). The Chinese residents in Hong Kong are not willing to embrace diversity. The mainstream culture in Hong Kong does not accommodate the ethnic minorities. The language barrier and other cultural differences only serve to worsen the case of social exclusion. For this reason, the government and other agencies have also been reluctant to embrace the ethnic minorities.

Hong Kong does not offer any opportunities to the ethnic minorities who cannot speak the Chinese language. In cases where the ethnic minorities have learned Chinese, many employers consider their nationality. Being immigrants into the Chinese society has only served to register negative health outcomes for the minority groups (Law & Lee 2013). As highlighted above, social exclusion denotes a serious aspect that has numerous adverse effects on a community. Notably, social exclusion makes it impossible for members of a certain group to engage in social and civic activities. Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong do not participate in decision-making and do not have a voice in the political processes. Due to the high level of exclusion, employment opportunities are limited, and there are minimal efforts to foster integration (Shum, Gao, & Tsung 2012). Chinese Hong Kong citizens have a negative attitude towards the ethnic minorities. There is a prevalent negative connotation associated with immigrants from China.

Many Chinese citizens have a strong attachment to their culture and are highly conservative, a factor that makes it difficult for them to embrace diversity. For many years, the Chinese citizens in Hong Kong have continued to regard the ethnic minorities as social misfits. The cultural differences between the local Chinese community and the South Asian immigrants are some of the factors that have led to increased discrimination (Chan et al. 2015). The local Chinese community does not welcome or recognise the presence of the ethnic minorities in their society. Many of the local Chinese citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction with the government for allowing immigrants to live in Hong Kong. These Chinese citizens believe that the government should protect the resources of the Chinese society by keeping immigrants away (Heung 2006). The poor economic atmosphere has fuelled such a perspective towards immigrants. In many cases, the local Chinese citizens have expressed their resentment towards the ethnic minorities.

The social exclusion that the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong have been facing has contributed to negative health outcomes. There is evidence that factors such as the level of education, economic statuses, and social standing have a significant influence on the health of people. Particularly, accessing healthcare services requires economic resource. Many of the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong do not have the finances required to access primary health care services (Bhowmik & Kennedy 2016). Their utilisation of primary health care services is limited. One of the factors that limit the ability to access health care services is their economic situation. The Chinese government, as well as employers in Hong Kong, are reluctant to provide ethnic minorities with job opportunities (Chu 2017). Many of the ethnic minorities who attend interviews miss out the chances because of their nationality and race. Racial discrimination is a reality in the Chinese labour market.

Despite efforts by the Hong Kong human rights commission, it is impossible for ethnic minorities to get jobs in Hong Kong. The fact that they cannot speak Chinese is a determining factor that discourages many employers. Moreover, it is unfortunate that many of those jobs do not require fluency in Chinese as one of the qualifications. However, many employers use that factor to disqualify ethnic minorities from getting jobs in Hong Kong. In cases where the ethnic minorities are fortunate enough to get jobs, there is still a measure of discrimination based on the salaries they receive (Erni & Leung 2014). Ethnic minorities earn meagre wages compared to Chinese residents holding similar positions. The employers also compel the ethnic minorities to work for longer hours without any additional pay. The government has an employment policy that disadvantages the ethnic minorities. Many government positions require individuals who have lived in Hong Kong for many years. The numerous barriers that many ethnic minorities face have made it difficult for them to access jobs.

The lack of employment has a direct effect on the health outcomes of the ethnic minorities. Particularly, without any form of employment, many of the ethnic minorities are poor and are unable to afford basic health care services. As a result, they do not utilise basic health care services even when it is necessary. Moreover, it is unfortunate for them because the healthcare system still exhibits numerous inequalities when it comes to the provision of health care services to ethnic minority groups (Ingleby 2012). The Chinese have strongly integrated the health care system into their culture. As a result, it is extremely difficult for the minority groups to access health care services due to the cultural insensitivity. Healthcare providers do not make an effort of practicing culturally sensitive nursing that can accommodate ethnic minorities. Both language and communication barriers prevent many ethnic minorities from accessing health care services, even when they can afford such services. Chinese is the official language in the health care system, and healthcare providers do not make exceptions for the ethnic minorities (Ng, Cheung, & Brahm 2010). Many of the healthcare providers are not willing to provide services to the ethnic minorities who are "cultural and social misfits". Such realities explain why many ethnic minorities in Hong Kong have been registering poor health outcomes.

The excessive social exclusion that minority groups experience in Hong Kong has contributed to the lack of education opportunities. Specifically, minority groups lack the access to quality education. Particularly, there are only seven schools that admit students from the ethnic minority population. As a result, many of the minority groups’ children miss out the opportunities to join the schools. More than 15% of these children have to wait for several years for them to get a place in the seven schools (Leung 2006). The graduation rates of ethnic minorities are significantly low. Children belonging to the minority groups have opted to pursue vocational training which does not benefit them much. Although vocational training helps them to acquire important skills, they still lack employment opportunities because the governments in the private sector are against ethnic minorities (Eyal 2013). Without education, the ethnic minorities lack the empowerment they need to make important health decisions. There is evidence that the level of education is a major contributor to either positive or negative health outcomes.

Particularly, the poor level of education means that the minority groups have limited health education. As a result, it is impossible for them to venture into a healthy lifestyle and reduce certain health risks. They lack the understanding of the contribution of nutrition to a community’s health outcomes. Most of the minority groups do not recognise the importance of regular check-ups and preventive health care services that promote the health outcomes of communities (Ahmad & Bradby 2008). As a result, the minority groups in Hong Kong have registered poor health outcomes and an increased risk to develop several chronic illnesses. Particularly, it is difficult for them to access reliable health information even when they desperately need it. Consultations with Chinese healthcare providers in Hong Kong do not lead to any desirable outcomes. For this reason, minority groups lack the willingness to seek health care services or utilise them. These factors explain why there is a remarkable health gap between the minority group and the local Chinese residents. While the Chinese residents enjoy remarkable positive health outcomes, the minority groups register an increased susceptibility to different diseases (Leung 2006). The inequalities in the healthcare sector have contributed significantly to increased mortality and morbidity rates among the minority groups in Hong Kong. The minority groups have poor oral health, lack of access to vaccines, and an increased vulnerability to contracting HIV.

Multilevel Approaches to Achieve Health Equality in Hong Kong

Evidently, there is a need to implement different strategies that will help to increase positive health outcomes among the minority groups in Hong Kong. Reforms in the health care sector are necessary as a way of introducing culturally sensitive nursing that is appealing to the minority groups. Healthcare providers in the Chinese healthcare sector need to embrace cultural competence and provide services to a diverse population (Ingleby 2012). Most significantly, there is a need for community capacity building with the core objective of empowering the minority groups. Particularly, it is possible to empower the minority groups through education and inclusion in community participation and social interactions. The Chinese citizens also need to recognise the importance of diversity and be willing to engage the ethnic minority groups as part of the larger society.

Through community capacity building, it is possible to introduce different levels of social relationships between the local community of Chinese citizens and the immigrants from the South Asia. If both groups embrace cultural appreciation, they can work together to establish a highly interactive society. The Chinese government and other non-governmental agencies can help the ethnic minority groups to develop better skills and access educational opportunities (Leung 2006). Through empowerment, the minority groups will be in a position to access jobs or establish small businesses. Such empowerment will make them important assets of the larger society. To address the level of social exclusion, it is important to introduce social forums that promote community engagement and invite the minority groups to participate in decision-making (Eyal 2013). The Chinese government has a role to play in introducing an anti-racism policy that will reduce the level of racism in workplaces and institutions.

Inclusive policies will promote a measure of tolerance among the local Chinese community and the minority groups. It is imperative to empower the minority groups through health promotion practices and the creation of community health awareness. Healthcare providers should be willing to take up the responsibility of facilitating community health awareness among the minority groups (Chu 2017). Through these health promotion practices, it will be possible to increase the health outcomes of the minority groups and reduce their health risks. Undoubtedly, healthcare providers need to embrace a multidimensional approach when addressing the unique health needs of the minority groups (Heung 2006). A holistic approach will help in addressing all the determinants of health that affect the outcomes of the health of minority groups.