Press Releases

PSHWF to attend APEC Health Ministers Meeting in Bangkok

The Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai, will attend the APEC Health Ministers' Meeting on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on June 28 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Hosted by Thailand, one of the main purposes of the APEC Health Ministers' Meeting is to discuss how to implement practical measures in APEC member economies to prevent and contain effectively the spread of SARS in a timely and efficient manner.

It will also look into how these practical measures can help restore public confidence in a way that will result in business returning rapidly to normalcy.

In addition, the meeting will explore collaborative means to enhance research and development capacities in cooperation with related international organisations, including the involvement of the private sector.

Before her departure, Mrs Yau said: "Hong Kong will share its experience with APEC member economies the implementation of practical measures to combat the SARS epidemic.

"We shall also present our strategies and preventive measures in order to gear up for the future."

Joined by the Assistant Director of Health, Dr Cindy Lai, Mrs Yau will depart this afternoon (June 27) for Bangkok and return to Hong Kong tomorrow night (June 28).

End/Friday, June 27, 2003
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