Press Releases
In the Eye of the Storm photo exhibit pays tribute to local SARS heroes
In the Eye of the Storm, an exhibit of photographs that pays tribute to the individuals and organisations that dedicated themselves in the battle against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), opens at two venues today (June 25).
While Hong Kong has been removed from the World Health Organisation's (WHO) list of places affected by SARS, the 20 photos on display capture the individuals and the organisations engaged in frontline efforts and support campaigns undertaken at the height of the crisis.
The subjects range from an estate cleaning lady to the Director of Health, from a ward assistant to an ICU nurse.
Addressing the opening ceremony at Times Square today, Mr David Eldon, Chairman, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, recognised the people who participated in the fight against SARS and acknowledged the community spirit spawned by the outbreak.
"After SARS, Hong Kong will never be the same again and I think this is a good thing.
"While this exhibition documents what some people did in the battle against SARS, it also serves as a timely reminder of what all of us need to do going forward. Simply put, each and every person can and must play an active role in making Hong Kong clean and in keeping Hong Kong healthy,"
Mr Eldon added.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said: "Hong Kong was confronted with a new disease, about which we had very little knowledge and no direct experience we could rely on. Our strategy had to evolve with each piece of new information and with the benefit of each previous encounter.
"Despite our efforts we are unable to prevent an epidemic. The disease took a heavy toll, not only on the health care system but on everyone in the community. The impact on our personal and social lives was as distressing as it was devastating on our economy. Yet Hong Kong rose to the challenge. Everyone joined hands to fight SARS.
"This exhibition offers a glimpse of that extraordinary battle as seen through the camera lens. These photos are a tribute to the men and women of Hong Kong who answered the call to serve, regardless of the considerable pain, stress or danger they faced. It is also a tribute to the individuals who survived this pernicious disease, to those who did not, and to those who lost loved ones but still must carry on.
"Recognising that our densely populated setting had contributed to the size of the outbreak, the WHO's commendation of Hong Kong's heroic work in bringing the outbreak under control was largely a tribute to the people represented in this exhibition.
"Still, let us take the time today to reflect on the lessons of the past few months, and to acknowledge those heroes and heroines who distinguished themselves 'in the eye of the storm'," Dr Yeoh added.
Renowned photographer Leong Ka Tai took the photographs. "I wanted to create a factual documentary of the behind-the-scenes campaigns that were undertaken during the crisis. This approach reflects the magnitude of the battle against SARS and gives it some order.
"Most people had no idea of the extent of the collective efforts involved. We also wanted to show what went on inside the hospitals and what the patients and those at risk were facing," Mr Leong said.
The exhibition will be shown at the following venues:
June 25 - July 3 Times Square, Ground Floor Covered Piazza, Causeway Bay
June 25 - July 4 Shatin New Town Plaza, Entrance Arena and Food Parc, Sha Tin
July 5 - July 10 East Point, Level 1 Atrium, Tseung Kwan O
July 5 - July 13 Cityplaza Ground Floor North, Taikoo Shing
The exhibition is supported by the Hong Kong SAR Government and HSBC.
End/Wednesday, June 25, 2003
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