Press Releases

SFH on seasonal influenza and Medical Council

Following is a transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a radio programme today (January 15):

Reporter: Do you see that such possibility of doctors' strike against the new proposal of the Medical Council composition is like putting excessive antagonism between the Government and the sectors?

Secretary for Food and Health: As I said, when the Government introduces the Bill to the Legislative Council, the Council will establish a Bills Committee to examine the Bill. At that stage, I am sure that the Bills Committee and the Government will consider and listen to the views expressed by various stakeholders. I believe that there are adequate chances and channels for different stakeholders to express their views.

Reporter: Would you like them to actually call off any threat to strike?

Secretary for Food and Health: I would like to reiterate that there are sufficient channels and chances for different stakeholders to express their views.

Reporter: About the overall flu situation, are you confident that with the more flu jabs in both public and private sectors, there would be a minimised situation? And also about the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, do you see that you have a higher priority in terms of allocating resources to local medical sector?

Secretary for Food and Health: As you all know, the Government has introduced new measures (to prevent and control the spread of seasonal flu). Especially in this season, we have implemented the measure of providing free seasonal flu vaccination to all Hong Kong citizens aged 65 and above. The scheme also extends to cover persons with intellectual disabilities. The Department of Health has increased the amount of seasonal influenza vaccines purchase. Up to this moment, we have already provided 350,000 seasonal influenza vaccinations through the Government Vaccination Scheme. And also we have the Government Subsidy Scheme under which 170,000 people received vaccination at private healthcare practitioners. So, we are talking about 500,000 vaccinations in total. Hopefully, this increase of coverage especially to high risk people in the community would make the situation not as serious as last flu season.

Regarding the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, the Chief Executive has said that it would not only cover the finance, trading and economic aspects, it would also cover culture and professional exchanges. Of course, my Bureau and the medical sector have also a role to play. Certainly, if you are asking me about the policy priorities of my Bureau, we are still focusing on our own initiatives to ensure the health of Hong Kong people through the improvement of healthcare system.

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

Ends/Friday, January 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 13:13

NNNN