Press Releases

SHWF to attend World Health Assembly in Geneva

The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, will lead a delegation to attend the 56th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

Members of the delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan; and the Head of Research Office of the Health Welfare and Food Bureau, Dr Lo Su-vui.

Organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the 56th World Health Assembly will be held from May 19 to 28 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr Yeoh will take part in the technical briefing session on severe acute respiratory syndrome on May 20.

"The World Health Assembly provides a valuable platform for places all over the world to exchange information and ideas on medical and health issues of international concern.

"We would take this opportunity to brief participating countries our stringent measures to control the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

"We would share our experience in tackling this new virus with concerted and strenuous effort from health care professionals, government departments of various disciplines and the community," Dr Yeoh said.

"I look forward to listening and benefiting from experience of other participants in fighting this disease," he added.

Dr Yeoh will depart on Saturday (May 17) for Geneva and return to Hong Kong on May 22.

Held annually in Geneva in May, the World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body for WHO, and is attended by delegations from all 192 member states. Its main function is to determine the policies of the Organisation.

End/Tuesday, May 13, 2003
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