Press Releases
Health Research Symposium 2010 held (with photos)
The Food and Health Bureau hosted the Health Research Symposium 2010 today
(September 11) to promote the outcomes of research projects and outstanding
studies supported by the bureau in the past few years.
Entitled "Improving health and recognising excellence", the symposium
brought together more than 600 medical practitioners, academic researchers
and government representatives to exchange views on research ideas and
findings, with the aim of ultimately generating health benefits for the
public at large.
Addressing the symposium, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow,
said outstanding studies had not only set a benchmark for good research but
also assisted the formulation of health policies in Hong Kong and beyond.
"In order to efficiently translate bench-top research to bedside
application, research investment must be targeted effectively.
"By setting thematic priorities for research, with input from local experts
and senior health professionals, and having a fair and transparent peer
review system, we can effectively direct scarce public funds to where we
think they will have the biggest impact on health policy and practice," he
said.
Dr Chow said the bureau had supported over 750 separate research and health
promotion projects with a total value of over $500 million, adding that the
research that had been supported had been quite literally life-changing and
of enormous benefit to enhancing public health and healthcare in Hong Kong.
"Indeed, several studies have gone on to be acclaimed internationally by
health experts," he added.
During today's symposium, two international experts, Professor Christl
Donnelly from the United Kingdom and Professor Karen Kuntz from the United
States, delivered keynote addresses to highlight infectious disease
modelling and cost-effectiveness of healthcare.
Fourteen leading local researchers from a variety of scientific and
health-related disciplines, who have completed high-quality research
projects supported by funds administered by the bureau, also shared their
research experience and outcomes at the symposium.
In addition, awards were presented in recognition of the outstanding
contributions of those studies that had set a benchmark for good research
and assisted the formulation of health policies. The awards presented were
as follows:
1) Excellent Research Award (Basic and Laboratory Science): Professor Yuen
Kwok-yung and Professor Guan Yi (awarded separately)
2) Excellent Research Award (Clinical Studies): Professor Henry Chan
Lik-yuen
3) Excellent Research Award (Public Health): Dr Benjamin Cowling
4) Excellent Research Award (Health and Health Services Research): Dr Irene
Wong Oi-ling
5) The Most Promising Young Researcher Award: Professor Nelson Lee Lai-shun
Ends/Saturday, September 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:01
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