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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