Press Releases

SFH on child abuse case and water testing in public hospitals

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function today (September 8):

Reporter: (On the condition of a girl involved in a suspected child abuse case)

Secretary for Food and Health: I am not at liberty to talk about her exact clinical condition. Our healthcare workers are very alert to any possible child abuse cases, whenever the physical condition of any children admitted to hospitals shows any peculiarity. For this particular case, the hospital will provide appropriate treatment to the patient who is now in a stable condition.

Reporter: (About the procedure for medical staff to report child abuse cases)

Secretary for Food and Health: Whenever there is suspicion that a patient in the paediatric group who might be abused, there would be normal procedure for clinical staff to report the case through hospital management to the Police.

Reporter: Do you mean the authority plans to check water in all public hospitals and the first would be the children's hospital?

Secretary for Food and Health: As I have explained, we have to build on a risk stratification approach. Therefore, at this stage we only target facilities which mainly treat patients under 6 years of age and those who will be staying in the hospital for a prolonged period.

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

Ends/Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:30

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