Press Releases
Senior officials hold tripartite meeting to share views on health policies (with photos)
The 12th Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong
and Macao was held in Hong Kong today (December 5), at which about 60
medical and public health officials and experts of the three places shared
their experience and fostered mutual understanding on various public health
issues.
Addressing the meeting, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man,
noted that the three places have gained a more thorough understanding of
each other's situation and established a sound mechanism for information
sharing and collaboration after years of exchanges and co-operation.
"Following strengthened exchange and co-operation among Hong Kong, Macao and
the Mainland, the Joint Meeting has become an important platform for the
three places to share their views on medical and health issues. Through the
meeting, the three places can enhance mutual understanding, and learn from
each other to improve the public health systems," Dr Ko said.
One of the topics discussed at today's meeting was measures against emerging
communicable diseases. Dr Ko told participants that the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) had been putting in place a series
of ongoing effective strategies for the prevention and control of infectious
diseases. Subsequent to the confirmation of the first human case of avian
influenza A(H7N9) on December 2, the HKSARG has activated the Serious
Response Level under the Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic and
implemented a series of corresponding preventive and control measures.
"The three places have already established a mechanism for information
exchange on infectious diseases, which enables us to conduct risk assessment
and communication in a timely manner. We hope that this efficient
co-operation and liaison will carry on as it is vital to the prevention and
control of infectious disease," he added.
During the meeting, delegates also shared their views on other long-term
public health topics, including Chinese medicine development and
co-operation, innovative medical technology and health policies in the face
of an ageing population.
The Mainland and Macao delegations attending today's meeting were
respectively led by the Vice Minister of the National Health and Family
Planning Commission, Mr Liu Qian, and the Secretary for Social Affairs and
Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Cheong U. Hong Kong
participants included the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health),
Mr Richard Yuen; the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia
Chan; the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan; the Chairman of the
Hospital Authority, Professor John Leong; and the Chief Executive of the
Hospital Authority, Dr Leung Pak-yin.
Ends/Thursday, December 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:00
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