Press Releases

SFH on organ donation and CE election

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

Reporter: Regarding organ transplant, the awareness and number remain very low as now you have mentioned. What are some of the ways that you are trying to actively promote? Is there an active plan or timetable telling us when will this be happening?

Secretary for Food and Health: Despite all the efforts and initiatives that the Government and the medical sector have been doing in terms of promotion of organ donation, the organ donation rate in Hong Kong remains very low. Therefore, there is a need for us to consider more serious measures, including the possibility of introducing the so-called "opt-out" legislation in order to further promote organ donation in Hong Kong. At this stage, the Government is still conducting a public opinion survey regarding the general public receptiveness on various methods to promote organ donation. The next step that we probably need to consider is to conduct a formal public consultation on an "opt-out" legislation for organ donation.

Reporter: Will it be done within this (term of) Administration?

Secretary for Food and Health: I will have to make a decision within this term of Government but the total package of work would have to cross over to the next term of Government.

Reporter: Would you like to join the next Administration if any candidates (of the Chief Executive election) invite you?

Secretary for Food and Health: I have not made a final decision. As my response to other reporters earlier, no one has approached me yet in this regard. I have not made any formal decision, but my inclination is always to pick up clinical work again.

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

Ends/Sunday, March 19, 2017
Issued at HKT 13:11
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