Press Releases

SFH on food recall law and health care financing

Following is the transcript of remarks (English session) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session after attending radio programmes this morning (October 22):

Reporter: (about the food recall law)

Secretary for Food and Health: We have preliminary consultation with the trade on the amendment bill. Most of them agreed that we should have such authority. This can also safeguard their products as well. We hope the legislators can pass this bill as soon as possible so that we can enforce it. This is also a bill of great importance to public health and safety. I am sure that the Legislative Council will set up a bills committee to examine it. The only thing I would like to appeal to the legislators is hopefully they would try their best to speed up the whole scrutiny.

Reporter: On the mandatory medical insurance that has been talked about, is the Government prepared to act as a primary insurer?

Secretary for Food and Health: I have to say that we have not made any decision on this particular aspect. We are looking at the whole health care financing options, based on the result of the consultation conducted from March to June. At this moment, we still do not have any conclusion.

(Please also refer to the Chinese session of the transcript.)


Ends/Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:34

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