Hong Kong-born Ivan Liang Zhanpeng needs to be injected five days a week for thalassemia(地中海貧血症), an inherited blood disorder.
But the monthly HK$400 spent on disposable needles and syringes(注射器) is a significant burden for his mainland parents, because the seven-year- old cannot apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance without a Hong Kong guardian.
Ivan's family is not alone.
The New Home Association, a concern group for new mainland migrants, has received more than 10 similar cases since it was set up in June.
"We are under huge financial pressure and look at ways to save money to pay for his medication and other living expenses," the boy's mother, Pan Liying, said.
The Guangdong native spends most of her time in Hong Kong on a two-way permit to take care of Ivan.
She said Ivan lived in the mainland after birth but returned to Hong Kong in mid-2004 to receive cheaper medical care. The boy does not have Guangdong residency.
Pan and her son try to get by on the government's Disability Allowance of HK$1,280 a month. Her husband, a renovation worker, earns about 1,500 yuan (HK$1,744) a month and lives with their eldest son in Guangdong.
She said although the drug Desferal Ivan uses is heavily subsidized by the government, she still has to pay for his needles and syringes.
Each disposable needle costs HK$16.50 while a syringe costs around HK$2.50.
Her son's schooling and their meals are additional expenses.
"I want to apply for CSSA, but the Social Welfare Department repeatedly told me my family is not eligible," Pan said.
She was told that her son may only apply for CSSA if he has a Hong Kong guardian.
Pan wanted her elder sister, a Hong Kong resident, to be her son's guardian, but her sister's three-member family has to undergo a means test.
She said her sister will have to give up her job in order to become eligible.
Fan Kwok-fai, an association social worker, said: "It is unreasonable that they cannot apply for CSSA because their parents are not Hong Kong permanent residents."
Fan said his group is seeking legal advice for a possible judicial review.
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