kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Secretary for Health inspects Queen Mary Hospital's work on establishment of Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centre (with photos)
8.8.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, today (August 8) inspected Queen Mary Hospital's work on the establishment of the Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centre. The Centre is expected to enhance the integrated treatment services for cardiovascular diseases, offering more prompt and appropriate one-stop consultation services for cardiovascular diseases to patients. Accompanied by the Cluster Chief Executive of Hong Kong West Cluster of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Theresa Li, Professor Lo and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, met with healthcare staff of various specialties of the Centre and received a briefing on the progress of setting up the Centre. They also visited the Accident and Emergency Department, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Coronary Care Unit at the Hospital. With an ageing population, cardiovascular diseases became one of the three leading causes of death in Hong Kong. Queen Mary Hospital currently handles a large number of patients with cardiovascular diseases every year, among which about 1 500 patients are with acute chest pain symptoms, who are mostly being jointly followed up by different specialties. Establishing the Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centres can optimise the diagnosis process and enhance the treatment effectiveness, as such improving the survivorship of patients. Professor Lo said, &ldquo;the Chief Executive set out the establishment of the Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centres by the HA in last year's Policy Address. Queen Mary Hospital will be the first hospital to set up such centre. "I would like to express my gratitude to the healthcare teams of various specialties of Queen Mary Hospital for sparing no effort in setting up the Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centre. I am also pleased to learn that the teams have planned and gradually implemented relevant preparatory work, including conducting the pre-hospital 12-lead electrocardiogram in ambulances and sending the images immediately to the Accident and Emergency Department, providing POCT Troponin (POC-hs-cTnI) tests, expediting Cardiology specialist consultations, enhancing acute Cardiology wards and promoting multi-disciplinary collaboration, providing one-stop services to cardiovascular disease patients, so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment process of cardiovascular diseases. With the efforts of the teams, I have every confidence that the high-quality development of the diagnosis cardiovascular diseases can be pressed forward and members of the public can be benefited."
Secretary for Health visits HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (with photos)
19.7.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) on Sassoon Road, Pok Fu Lam, today (July 19) to get a better grasp of the latest progress of the HKUMed in enhancing healthcare teaching facilities and exchange views in person with teaching staff and students. Accompanied by the Dean of the HKUMed, Professor Lau Chak-sing, Professor Lo and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, visited the healthcare teaching facilities of the HKUMed and learned about the progress of the work projects for enhancing the relevant facilities. Professor Lo and Dr Lee then met with undergraduates from different departments of the HKUMed to understand their learning experiences and aspirations in practicing healthcare professions in the future. Professor Lo said, "Healthcare is an important pillar of people's livelihood. To ensure that medical services are accessible to all people with illnesses, it is vital to secure sufficient healthcare manpower in delivering various healthcare services to meet the needs of the community. However, Hong Kong is currently facing a shortage of public healthcare manpower. As such, the Government has been vigorously taking forward various initiatives to enhance training of healthcare professionals. In tandem with the increasing number of healthcare training places, the Government also upgrades and expands the healthcare teaching facilities of the University Grants Committee-funded universities. "Healthcare talents are important assets of the society and the training of healthcare professionals involves a huge amount of public resources. We have to examine the optimal use of our valuable resources to maximise the benefits for the public, and explore feasible options to strengthen healthcare manpower in the public healthcare system. It is my hope that students in training will not lose their faith, which led them to pursue careers as healthcare professionals, and continue to contribute to building a healthy Hong Kong."
Transcript of remarks on tobacco control by S for Health at media session
15.7.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (July 15): Reporter: Can you provide more details about the real time adjustment that aims to ensure that the cigarette tax can be remained at 75 per cent of the price? And also, you had just mentioned that every cigarette should have a label to signify whether it is taxed, can you also elaborate further how this can be implemented and enforced? Secretary for Health: The World Health Organization recommended a tobacco taxation rate at at least 75 per cent of the retail price. At present, the tax proportion of the retail price is only about 64 per cent. We actually increased the tobacco tax by 31 per cent earlier this year. But unfortunately, the tobacco industry also increased the price, so that would significantly reduce the impact of our increase in the tobacco tax. And that is why the tax proportion of the retail price increased only marginally from 62 per cent to 64 per cent. So in future, we would like to seek public opinion on whether we should have a scheme to ensure that if we increase the tax rate, and even at the same time, the tobacco industry increases the price, we would ensure that the proportion of the tax related to the retail price would remain the same. If so, we will have an automatic mechanism to make sure that we follow the percentage and of course the final target is to make sure that the tax would account for 75 per cent of the retail price. On your second question about how to give a mark or laser marker on the cigarettes which have already been taxed, this has been implemented in some countries. Some would put it on the box, some would even put it on individual cigarettes. This can be done and the advantage is that we can easily identify which one has already been taxed, which ones are illicit cigarettes. So we are considering this option, and in future this will help us to identify which are illegally imported cigarettes or tobacco products and help our retailers to identify which are the legal ones and which are the illegal ones. And even our consumers, the smokers, they would know which are the legal ones and illegal ones. That would certainly help us to fight against all these illegally imported tobacco products. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by S for Health after Ante Chamber exchange session (with photos/video)
28.6.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at a media session after attending the Ante Chamber exchange session this morning (June 28): Reporter: Are there any new thoughts on making good use of the medical resources and the Mainland after the Ante Chamber meeting, for example, the Health Care Voucher and also the psychological centre which helps in the primary healthcare, how is that? The second question is about the non-locally trained pathway, how is that in solving the labour crunches so far? Secretary for Health: We had a very good discussion with the Legislative Councillors regarding the collaboration with the Mainland in the development of healthcare services across the boundary. For the Elderly Health Care Voucher, we heard a lot of good suggestions from our legislators, regarding the extension of the use to more hospitals on the Mainland, particularly those managed by institutions with experience in the healthcare services and the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme in Hong Kong. We are now developing the criteria for approving these additional Elderly Health Care Voucher utilisation hospitals, we will soon be accepting applications. The intention is to make sure that these spots for the use of the Elderly Health Care Voucher can be linked with our future spots for the residential care homes for the elderly in order to facilitate the provision of healthcare services to these elderly people across the boundary. So there were lot of discussions, especially about whether we can extend the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to Fujian. Fujian is a province with quite a number of elderly retiring there. Regarding the admission of non-locally trained healthcare workers, we are glad that the Special Registration Committee under the Medical Council (The Medical Council of Hong Kong) and the leadership of the chairperson, Professor Grace Tang, has come up with the fourth batch of approved curriculums - medical curriculums in the scheme, an additional 25 medical curriculums, including five medical schools on the Mainland with seven different curriculums. I am quite confident that this addition will be able to facilitate more non-locally trained doctors to return to Hong Kong and come to Hong Kong to support our healthcare services, and to create a positive cycle for more healthcare workers to work in the Hospital Authority and our public healthcare service in order to improve the care for our people, for the citizens of Hong Kong. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
New District Officer for Tuen Mun assumes office (with photo)
25.6.2023

âMr Michael Kwan will assume the post of District Officer (Tuen Mun) tomorrow (June 26), succeeding Ms Aubrey Fung. Mr Kwan joined the Administrative Service in 2007. He has served in various bureaux, including the Education Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the then Home Affairs Bureau, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, the Security Bureau and the then Food and Health Bureau. He was the Principal Assistant Secretary for Health (Special Duties) before taking up the new post.
Secretary for Health and delegation continue visit in Shanghai (with photos)
10.6.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and his delegation continued their visit in Shanghai today (June 10), calling on Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University and exchanging views with Hong Kong people living in Shanghai. Under the arrangement of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai, the delegation met with Hong Kong people living in Shanghai for lunch to understand more about their daily lives in Shanghai. The delegation then proceeded to visit Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University where they met with its President, Dr Fan Jia, and its Director of Cardiology Department, Dr Ge Junbo, and learned about the high quality work of the hospital. The delegation also visited the Center for Interventional Cardiology of Zhongshan Hospital and toured the set-up for a smart hospital there. Professor Lo told Dr Fan, "Hong Kong has been driving the development of 'smart healthcare' with the support and facilitation of the Hospital Authority (HA). Over the years, the HA has been striving to usher in innovative technology to enhance public healthcare services, and at the same time exploring and implementing different systems to support the development of a smart hospital. Smart hospital and 'smart healthcare' will be the future strategic goals of profound significance for increasing the healthcare efficiency and achieving a sustainable development of healthcare services." In meeting with Dr Ge, Professor Lo pointed out, "The Mainland has been pressing ahead with the adoption of a systematic approach in all Chest Pain Centers at full speed since 2016 by launching various accreditation works. Dr Ge has been sparing no effort in the setting up of standardised Chest Pain Centers across the country, and formulating of a co-ordinated system and standard of treatment for chest pain, thereby largely reducing the duration for treatment and taking the country's treatment for acute myocardial infarction to a higher level. Such achievements are valuable reference for Hong Kong." The delegation will attend the China Organ Donation Day event to be held in Shanghai tomorrow (June 11), before returning to Hong Kong in the evening.
Secretary for Health and delegation start three-day visit in Shanghai (with photos)
9.6.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and his delegation started a three-day visit in Shanghai today (June 9). They called on the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission and visited the Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The delegation paid a visit to the Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in the morning and met with the President and Deputy Party Secretary of the hospital, Mr Xia Qiang. They inspected the relevant healthcare services provided by the hospital, which is the largest liver transplant centre on the Mainland and the largest international paediatric liver transplant centre. The delegation then proceeded to tour the Huangpu District Dapuqiao Community Health Service Center to learn about the latest developments in Shanghai's strengthened tiered diagnosis for enhancing the capacity of community healthcare services. Professor Lo went on to meet with the Party Secretary and Director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Mr Wen Daxiang, and briefed him on the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong and the latest developments of various healthcare policies, including the Primary Healthcare Blueprint released last year that set out a range of development directions and strategies in strengthening the primary healthcare system of the city. Moreover, the two parties discussed and exchanged views on issues covering healthcare talent exchange and training between Hong Kong and Shanghai, development of Chinese medicine, and control and prevention of infectious diseases. Professor Lo said, "I, together with the health department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, shall continue to maintain close ties with the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, with a view to deepening exchanges and co-operation of the two places in the healthcare aspect." The delegation will continue its visit in Shanghai tomorrow (June 10).
Secretary for Health to lead delegation to visit Shanghai
8.6.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, will lead a delegation to Shanghai today (June 8) for a three-day visit starting tomorrow (June 9) and participate in the China Organ Donation Day event organised by the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation. Professor Lo and the delegation will also visit the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission to continue strengthening the exchanges and co-operation of the two places in the healthcare area. While in Shanghai, Professor Lo and the delegation will also visit Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University and Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine to get a better grasp of the operation of medical specialty centres there and the setting-up of smart hospitals. Moreover, they will visit a community health service centre and meet with Hong Kong people living in Shanghai. Among the delegation are the Director of Cluster Services of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Simon Tang, and representatives of the Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the HA. Professor Lo will return to Hong Kong on June 11. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, will be the Acting Secretary for Health.
Recruitment Day for non-locally trained doctors successfully held in Sydney (with photos)
3.6.2023

A Recruitment Day for non-locally trained doctors was successfully held in Sydney, Australia, today (June 3). The Hospital Authority (HA), together with the Department of Health (DH) and the medical schools of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, promoted the latest pathway and registration arrangement for non-locally trained doctors to practise in Hong Kong to medical students and medical practitioners from Australia, with a view to attracting them to serve in public healthcare institutions in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) supported the organisation of the Recruitment Day. Over 200 medical students and medical practitioners participated. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said he is delighted to know that the second overseas recruitment exercise was successfully held in Sydney. Professor Lo said, "Attracting talent is a key priority of the Government. The overseas recruitment exercise is one of the initiatives to attract medical students and medical practitioners to serve in the HA, the DH and the two medical schools in Hong Kong. The Health Bureau will continue to spare no effort to attract, retain and nurture healthcare talent." The Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, said, "It gives us great pleasure to travel to Sydney and meet with medical students and medical practitioners in person and online in Australia. Members of the delegation introduced to them the working environment of public hospitals, training ladders, living arrangements, etc, for employment in Hong Kong. We received positive responses from the participants and we look forward to seeing them in the HA family soon." Addressing the participants in her welcoming remarks, the Director of the Sydney ETO, Miss Trista Lim, said, "Hong Kong has unveiled various initiatives to attract top talent worldwide. In addition to the pathway for qualified non-locally trained doctors to practise in Hong Kong, the Government has recently expanded the Talent List to cover 51 professions, including 13 professions under the healthcare services sector." The Government has earlier announced 75 medical qualifications recognised by the Special Registration Committee, including seven in Australia. The Recruitment Day was also supported by the Australasian Medical Services Coalition and the Hong Kong Medical Society of Australia.
Transcript of remarks by S for Health at media session
25.5.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at a media session after attending a meeting at the Legislative Council this morning (May 25): Reporter: Secretary, what is your thinking of the possible review of the current register for future recruitments? And also how likely the Government will consider allowing donors to opt out from the second tier of the donation scheme? Secretary for Health: About the registry, we have a lot to improve. The registry was originally developed without any legal power. Basically, the registration is entirely voluntary. The information will not actually have any legal implication, in the sense that those who have registered may not necessarily eventually donate their organs. On the other hand, for many people who have not registered, finally the family decided to donate their organs. But unfortunately, we now have a small number of people with ill intention to attack the system and try to create the sentiment that they are exaggerating the number of people who want to withdraw from this, who don't support this cross-boundary collaboration in organ transplant. We condemn any of this action of putting up fake information in the media to try to misguide our citizens to withdraw from the registry. We also condemn the action of trying to exaggerate the number of withdrawal in order to destroy our organ donation sentiment and the atmosphere for promoting organ donation. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Secretary for Health attends 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva (with photos)
22.5.2023

â The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, today (May 21, Geneva time) attended the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Professor Lo and the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, attended the 76th WHA as members of the Chinese delegation. The theme of this year's Assembly is "WHO at 75: Saving lives, driving health for all" and the discussions cover a wide range of issues, including the review of WHO's work in health emergencies, universal health coverage, primary healthcare, traditional medicine, infection prevention and control, substandard and falsified medicines, non-communicable diseases and mental health. In addition to attending the plenary session, Professor Lo and Dr Lam also met with the Minister for Health of Singapore, Mr Ong Ye Kung, to share experiences in the fight against COVID-19 and exchange views on various health-related issues, including primary healthcare and medical manpower. Professor Lo and Dr Lam will continue to attend the WHA tomorrow (May 22, Geneva time).
Secretary for Health meets Vice-minister of National Health Commission and Ambassador of China to UN Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland (with photo)
21.5.2023

In Switzerland today (May 20, Geneva time), the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Vice-minister of the National Health Commission, Mr Cao Xuetao; and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Chen Xu, to discuss the latest healthcare developments of the Mainland and Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's participation in World Health Organization (WHO)-related work. Professor Lo briefed Mr Cao and Mr Chen on the latest healthcare-related developments in Hong Kong, including the progressive implementation of the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, published last December, which sets out a series of reform initiatives to strengthen the primary healthcare system in Hong Kong with a view to shifting the emphasis of Hong Kong's healthcare system from its current treatment-oriented, hospital-based structure to a prevention-focused, community-based system. He said that the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to enhance public hospital services, increase the supply of healthcare manpower, drive further the development of Chinese medicine, and push forward healthcare co-operation between Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Professor Lo also introduced to Mr Cao and Mr Chen Hong Kong's participation in WHO-related work, among others. Major programmes include the setting up of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence since 2012. Moreover, the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection has been designated as WHO reference laboratories for years. Accompanying Professor Lo at the meeting included the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam. Professor Lo and Dr Lam will attend the 76th World Health Assembly as members of the Chinese delegation on May 21 and 22 (Geneva time).