Press Releases

SFH on vaccination incident and regulation of beauty industry in conducting medical procedures

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function today (April 28):

Reporter: Do you agree that the vaccination incident should be announced earlier? Do you think that there is any inadequacy in the current mechanism?

Secretary for Food and Health: In any such medical incidents, I agree to the principle that we should be transparent and open. As far as the incident concerned, I will look into the investigation report prepared by the Department of Health (DH) to see whether the procedures involved should be improved or not and the timing to announce the incident.

Reporter: What role is the DH taking to regulate the beauty industry in terms of the use of equipment? Do you think that the department should do more to regulate the beauty industry?

Secretary for Food and Health: There are two aspects. Firstly, the DH has earlier on announced a set of guidelines to define which types of beauty procedures will be regarded as medical procedures. So there is a set of very clear guidelines. Secondly, we are also in the process of drafting a piece of legislation to enhance the regulation of private healthcare facilities, including facilities where high risk medical procedures will be conducted. This type of facility in future will be required to separately obtain a licence for practice.

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

Ends/Thursday, April 28, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:46

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