Press Releases
Tripartite co-operation effective in safeguarding public health (with photos)
Health authorities of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao have established a
solid and effective co-operation mechanism in safeguarding public health of
the three places, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said
today (November 6) at the opening ceremony of the Seventh Joint Meeting of
Senior Health Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao held in
Hangzhou.
"Throughout the years, co-operation among the three places has extended from
the prevention and control of infectious diseases to collaboration on all
fronts. We had active discussion on public health issues including our
preparedness for influenza pandemic. We will continue to maintain close
co-operation and communication among the three places, and work for the
greater well-being of our people," he said.
Dr Chow shared with the meeting the work of the Hong Kong side in medical,
public health and food safety.
Issues on the medical and health side, included influenza vaccination
subsidy scheme introduced this month, elderly healthcare voucher pilot
scheme to be launched in January next year, free pneumococcal vaccination
for infants, fostering public-private partnership and launching the second
stage of public consultation on healthcare reform in the first half of next
year.
On food safety, Dr Chow talked about the handling of mainland milk products
tainted with melamine. These included legislating on the safety standard of
melamine in food, stepping up sampling tests, submitting legislation to the
Legislative Council to empower the Government to make administer orders to
prohibit the import and supply of problem food, and direct that food
supplied be recalled.
Topics of discussion at the meeting included preparedness against influenza
pandemic, Sanlu infant formula incident, the implementation of Co-operation
Agreement on Response Mechanism for Public Health Emergencies, and rescue
and post-quake reconstruction work in Sichuan.
The Mainland delegation of the Seventh Joint Meeting of Senior Health
Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao was led by the Vice-Minister
of Health, Professor Huang Jiefu; while the Macao Special Administrative
Region delegation was headed by the Director of Health Bureau, Dr Lei Chin
Ion.
Ends/Thursday, November 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:38
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