Press Releases

SFH on lead in drinking water incidents

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a radio programme today (July 19):

Reporter: (on the Government's follow-up actions on blood tests of public housing estate residents)

Secretary for Food and Health: As I have reported just now, the first batch of nine blood examination result for lead was released yesterday. They are all normal. Commencing yesterday, a number of residents from the affected public housing estates will undertake blood lead level examination at our public hospitals in batches. Yesterday, 110 residents received this examination at United Christian Hospital and results will be expected available in the middle of?this week.?The Hospital Authority (HA) has already put in place a scheme for follow-up medical care and surveillance for these residents according to the results of blood lead levels. For those with a normal blood lead level, they will be informed and assured that they do not need any medical follow-up. For those with a slightly elevated or elevated level of lead in their blood, they will receive different assessments by professional staff of the Department of Health and HA. The staff will carry out simple examinations on them and follow up their blood lead level until they become normal. Residents who have seriously elevated blood lead level will receive early medical consultation. Depending on the result of the consultation as well as certain clinical examinations, they may or may not have to receive chelation therapy.

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

Ends/Sunday, July 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:37

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