kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
S for Health to lead delegation to visit Guangdong Province
28.3.2023

âThe Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, will lead a delegation for a three-day visit in Guangdong Province tomorrow (March 29). The delegation will visit the Health Commission of Guangdong Province and the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission, with a view to further strengthening exchanges and co-operation with Guangdong Province in the area of healthcare. While in Guangdong, the delegation will also attend the opening ceremony of the Nansha International Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and visit the Big Data Centre of National Health Commission for Human Tissue, Organ Transplant and Medicine, the Huawei Li Zhi Yuan Community Health Center of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, as well as a community health service centre of the Luohu Hospital Group. They will also attend the launch meeting of the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Center. Delegation members include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau, Dr Pang Fei-chau; and the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Henry Fan. Professor Lo will return to Hong Kong on March 31. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, will be the Acting Secretary for Health.
S for Health conducts third day of visit in Beijing (with photos)
17.3.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and his delegation conducted the third day of visit in Beijing today (March 17) and visited the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and the Technology Center for Protein Sciences at Tsinghua University . Professor Lo met with the NMPA Commissioner, Ms Jiao Hong, and Deputy Commissioner Mr Zhao Junning. They exchanged views on deepening the collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong on matters including approval of Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices for use in the Mainland, as well as clinical trials. They also discussed the work in driving the development of Chinese medicine. Professor Lo said, "Chinese medicine (CM) has all along been an integral part of Hong Kong's healthcare system. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government expresses sincere gratitude to the NMPA for its staunch support for the development of CM in Hong Kong, including its facilitation to the streamlining of approval procedures for Hong Kong-registered traditional proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms) for external use to be registered and sold in the Mainland. The relevant measure enables Hong Kong pCm manufacturers to expand their markets, and creates favourable conditions for Hong Kong pCms to 'go global' in the long run." In the afternoon, Professor Lo and the delegation met with the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee and President of Tsinghua University, Professor Wang Xiqin, as well as the Executive President of the Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital affiliated with Tsinghua University and Dean of the School of Clinical Medicine of Tsinghua University, Dr Dong Jiahong, at Tsinghua University. The delegation also visited the Technology Center for Protein Sciences at Tsinghua University. Professor Lo was accompanied by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Eddie Lee; and the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Henry Fan, on his visit in Beijing. They will conclude the visit and return to Hong Kong tomorrow (March 18).
Secretary for Health continues visit in Beijing (with photos)
16.3.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and his delegation continued their visit in Beijing today (March 16), calling on the National Health Commission (NHC) and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) respectively. During his meeting with the Vice-minister of the NHC, Mr Cao Xuetao, Professor Lo introduced the Primary Healthcare Blueprint released last year that sets out a range of development directions and strategies to strengthen the primary healthcare system in Hong Kong. He also said "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address" had stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue enhancing public hospital services, increase the supply of healthcare manpower, drive further the development of Chinese medicine (CM), and push forward healthcare co-operation between Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He said, "I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Cao Xuetao for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet the delegation and providing staunch support for the work of the Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority all along. In particular, the leaders of the NHC showed much care towards the situation in Hong Kong during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic last year. They steered not only the co-ordination of medical supplies secured for Hong Kong within a short period of time and the donation of anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines etc, but also arranging a number of experts to come to Hong Kong to help the HKSAR Government in examining the epidemic development in an in-depth manner and offer valuable advice on combating the epidemic." Separately, Professor Lo met with the Party Secretary and Vice Commissioner of the NATCM, Professor Yu Yanhong, and the Vice-Commissioner of the NATCM, Professor Huang Luqi. He introduced to them that the construction of the two flagship institutes, namely the Chinese Medicine Hospital and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, are being actively pushed ahead by the HKSAR Government for expected commission in phases starting from 2025. He said, "CM has always been an integral part of the healthcare system in Hong Kong. Its advantages were amply demonstrated during the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. The HKSAR Government will go the extra mile to further promote the development of CM in Hong Kong, consolidate the position of CM in Hong Kong's healthcare system, and formulate a blueprint for the overall development of CM." Accompanying Professor Lo at the meetings today were delegation members including the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Deputy Secretary for Health, Mr Eddie Lee; and the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Henry Fan.
S for Health leads delegation to visit Beijing (with photos)
15.3.2023

âThe Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, joined the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, on a visit to the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China upon Professor Lo's arrival in Beijing today (March 15). He also led a delegation for a three-day visit in Beijing to meet relevant Mainland authorities. The delegation will introduce to Mainland officials Hong Kong's work in containing the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the latest development of various healthcare policies, with a view to pursuing further deepening of exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland in the healthcare aspect. Professor Lo paid a visit to the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation (COTDF) this evening and met with the Chairman of the expert committee of the COTDF and Chairman of the China National Organ Donation and Transplantation Committee, Professor Huang Jiefu. Professor Lo mentioned Tsz-hei, the baby girl who had undergone a successful transplant surgery at Hong Kong Children's Hospital at the end of last year. The surgery also marked the first case of receiving a heart donated gratis across the boundary from a brain-dead Mainland child. He said, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude once again to the Central Government and relevant Mainland authorities for their strong support and co-ordination, as well as to the donor's parents for their selflessness. This collaboration in saving a life fully exemplified the shared principle and mission of the Mainland and Hong Kong in protecting lives, which is of great significance. "It is the anticipation of the Health Bureau to explore the setting-up of a standing co-operation mechanism for sharing organs for transplant with the Mainland, so as to make the best use of donated organs for saving lives. The national human organ donation work has indeed made remarkable achievements in recent years and the China Organ Transplant Response System is highly recognised by the World Health Organization and the Transplantation Society." The delegation members include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Eddie Lee; and the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Henry Fan. Professor Lo will return to Hong Kong on March 18. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, is the Acting Secretary for Health.
Transcript of remarks by S for Health at media session
10.3.2023

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 (March 10): Reporter: What do you think about the proposed new pathways for nurses to come? Can they help? Whether Hong Kong's working environment is attractive enough? Do you have any inputs on the dentist issue as well? Secretary for Health: For all the medical profession, manpower is a very important issue. Because in healthcare service, the most important element is our talents, our healthcare manpower. Regarding the attractions, the more we can attract talents from outside and increase our manpower, the more favourable will be their working environment. I think we have to stop the current vicious cycle when we have a high attrition and wastage rate in our staff, resulting in a worse working environment for them. We want to create a positive spin to increase our manpower, and that would help to improve their working conditions and set up a positive spiral. That will be an important attraction for them. Reporter: How about the quality of services without the licensing exam? Secretary for Health: These non-locally trained healthcare professionals, either nurses, doctors or dentists, will have their credentials assessed by respective councils and boards, and by looking at their working experiences. That will be an important gatekeeper for us. They will also be assessed by employer institutes, in particular the Hospital Authority, which will be another gatekeeper. Once they are in service, we have on-the-job supervision by the respective teams including experienced nurses and doctors to supervise the work of these newly recruited staff from overseas. At the same time, they will also be under the supervision by their respective councils and boards, like the Medical Council and the Dental Council. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
S for Health meets Qianhai Authority and Nanshan District People's Government delegation (with photos)
2.3.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Qianhai Authority and Nanshan District People's Government delegation (the delegation) today (March 2) to exchange views on the development of healthcare services and healthcare innovation industry. The delegation comprises members from Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen Municipality, the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (Qianhai Authority), Qianhai International Liaison Services Limited and Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital. Professor Lo said, "Through the constructive discussion in today's meeting, we have had an in-depth exchange of views with regard to the healthcare services as well as healthcare innovation industry. Hong Kong is renowned for our robust healthcare system and dedicated healthcare professionals. Upholding the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has all along been driving healthcare innovation and collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) by adhering to the premise that the moves are conducive to the development of the healthcare system in Hong Kong and the Mainland. All these aim to enhance the policy initiatives for providing convenience to Hong Kong citizens who pursue development in the Mainland and live there, thereby building a 'Healthy Hong Kong' together for integration into a 'Healthy China'. "The Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address that the HKSAR Government will make good use of the Guangdong-Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Shenzhen co-operation mechanisms to pursue deeper collaboration with other GBA cities and take forward the development of major platforms for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao co-operation. "The Qianhai Cooperation Zone is indeed one of the important collaboration platforms for development in the GBA, creating significant opportunities for Hong Kong to integrate into the overall development of the country, including the healthcare aspect." Accompanying Professor Lo at the meeting were the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Tony Ko, and officials from the Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the HA.
Secretary for Health attends 8th Chinese Transplant Games in Wuhan (with photos)
11.6.2024

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, led a delegation to Wuhan today (June 11) to attend the Chinese Organ Donation Day cum the 8th Chinese Transplant Games organised by the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation, and to meet with the Health Commission of Hubei Province for an exchange of views. Professor Lo said, "Organ donation is a selfless and generous act of benevolence to save lives. Over the years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been committed to cultivating support for organ donation in society, with a view to nurturing a culture that embraces organ donation, thereby rekindling hope for patients awaiting organ transplants to live a new life. "I joined this meaningful occasion today with great pleasure and cheered in person for Hong Kong athletes. Eight Hong Kong athletes who have received organ transplants are participating in the badminton and table tennis events. Apart from the competitions, we also stand together to promote the noble cause of organ donation and pay tribute to organ donors. I am hopeful that more citizens will support organ donation, thus giving patients awaiting organ transplants a chance to have a new lease of life." Professor Lo and his delegation earlier met with officials of the Health Commission of Hubei Province to exchange views on the healthcare developments of the two places and discuss further promotion of co-operation between Hubei and Hong Kong in the healthcare realm. Professor Lo and his delegation also visited the Wuhan Asia General Hospital to learn about the hospital's air rescue services and its facilities in the cardiovascular disease wards. The hospital, a Hong Kong enterprise, is a large-scale clinical healthcare centre established in accordance with the standards of a Tier III Class A hospital. At the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, the hospital was the very first non-public hospital in Wuhan designated to offer treatment to COVID-19 patients. The hospital also pledged to accord priority to admitting infected Hong Kong residents in Wuhan at the height of the epidemic, and subsequently supported Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work through the provision of test kits. The delegation members include the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Tony Ko, as well as officials of the Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the HA. Professor Lo and his delegation will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (June 12). During his absence, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, is the Acting Secretary for Health.
Transcript of remarks on outcome of public consultation on tobacco control strategies and way forward by S for Health at media session
9.6.2024

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, on the outcome of public consultation on tobacco control strategies and the way forward at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (June 9): Reporter: A retail sector lawmaker said he is worried that the ban on flavoured cigarettes may stop tourists from coming to Hong Kong. Newspaper vendors also said they are worried that it might affect businesses. How would you respond to these concerns? Also, is there a risk of visitors being caught out by not knowing about the law? Secretary for Health: I would categorically say that this would not affect visitors, tourists and business people coming to Hong Kong. First of all, taking the example of Singapore, Singapore has stricter measures on anti-smoking which do not really affect the tourists and visitors going to Singapore. The other thing is that, if you look at the overall percentage of smokers and non-smokers, there are far more non-smokers than smokers. People come to Hong Kong not for smoking. They come to Hong Kong for business opportunities, for our food, for all of the tourist attractions. They love to have a refreshing, lively, healthy city, rather than a city full of smoke and cigarette butts on the floor. I would categorically say that this is not an issue. For those newspaper vendors, I understand that this is part of their businesses, but they have other areas of businesses. Some of these people are talking about illicit cigarettes or "cheap whites". I guess that these are illegal activities, and these vendors should not be performing such businesses. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Secretary for Health witnesses accreditation of first batch of Mainland hospitals under China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) (with photos)
5.6.2024

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the International Hospital Accreditation Award Presentation Ceremony and Launch of the China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards Press Conference held in Qianhai, Shenzhen, today (June 5) to witness the accreditation of the first batch of Mainland hospitals under the China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) (the Standards). Professor Lo said, "Hospital accreditation is a globally adopted tool to offer hospitals targeted recommendations for improvement through an objective assessment of their performance in various aspects, thereby enhancing the quality of hospital services and safeguarding patients' safety. I am pleased to learn that Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou First People's Hospital and University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital form the very first batch of Mainland hospitals accredited under the Standards, marking an important milestone in promoting quality healthcare in our country. "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been responding to the national policy on hospital accreditation in a proactive manner. The Chief Executive has successively put forward corresponding measures in the 2022 and 2023 Policy Addresses. Among them, the work in relation to implementing the Hospital Accreditation Programme by the Hospital Authority (HA) through adoption of the Standards at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital will be substantially completed by the end of this year. The HA plans to extend the Hospital Accreditation Programme, adopting the relevant Standards, to two to three other public hospitals in the coming year. "The HKSAR Government will continue to actively promote accreditation of more public hospitals under the Standards, with a view to ensuring that the management and service levels as well as healthcare quality of local hospitals are on par with international standards while aligning with the national healthcare service system. At the same time, the participation of public hospitals in the relevant accreditation programme can serve as a demonstration to the international community the national hospital accreditation standards, with Hong Kong acting a gateway to promote the going global of national standards." The Standards were jointly developed by hospital accreditation experts from Hong Kong and the Mainland based on the national Tier III Class A hospital accreditation standards and in accordance with the requirements of the International Society for Quality in Health Care, while drawing reference from international experience. The Standards are the first internationally recognised hospital accreditation standards of the country.
Secretary for Health attends 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva (with photos)
28.5.2024

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 27, Geneva time). Professor Lo and the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, attended the Assembly as members of the Chinese delegation. The theme of this year's Assembly is "All for Health, Health for All" and the discussions cover a wide range of issues, including universal health coverage, infection prevention and control, International Health Regulations, antimicrobial resistance, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, health promotion and the WHO's preparedness and response to public health emergencies. In addition to attending the plenary session, Professor Lo and Dr Lam also attended a thematic side meeting co-organised by the National Health Commission (NHC) and health authorities of South Africa and the United Arab Emirates on integrated health services. The Vice-minister of the NHC Mr Cao Xuetao delivered a speech at the side meeting which was chaired by the Dean of the Vanke School of Public Health of the Tsinghua University, Dr Margaret Chan. Professor Lo and Dr Lam had in-depth discussions and exchanges with other participants on people-centred primary healthcare services. "At the side meeting, WHO experts and representatives from different countries shared their views on promoting primary healthcare. I agreed that different countries and places have different strategies in the process of developing primary healthcare, but their ultimate goal is to achieve universal health coverage. The side meeting discussions have provided insights for us to promote primary healthcare development and implement the 'Primary Healthcare Blueprint' in Hong Kong," Professor Lo said. After arriving in Geneva the day before yesterday (May 26, Geneva time), Professor Lo and Dr Lam met with Mr Cao 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 WHO-related work. Professor Lo and Dr Lam will continue to attend the WHA on May 28 (Geneva time).