Press Releases

Way forward for SARS report's recommendations discussed

A high-powered task force chaired by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, met this evening (October 7) to discuss ways to take forward the implementation of the 46 recommendations of the recently released SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) Expert Committee Report.

The Task Force on Implementation of the Recommendations of the SARS Expert Committee Report comprised core members drawing from the top echelon of the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, Department of Health and Hospital Authority as well as co-opted members from relevant government bureaux and departments who would be asked to join as and when necessary.

The task force agreed on the terms of reference as follows:

*To study the recommendations of the expert committee and determine how best to take forward the implementation of them;
*To co-ordinate with government bureaux/departments, the Hospital Authority, the academic and research community, relevant non-government organisations and the private health care sector stakeholders in the implementation of the recommendations; and
*To make regular progress reports to the Monitoring Committee on Implementation.

Members were also informed of the membership of the Monitoring Committee. They are: the co-chairpersons of the expert committee - Sir Cyril Chantler and Professor Sian Griffiths, the two local members of the expert committee - Professor Rosie Young and Professor Lee Shiu-hung, and Legislative Councilor Dr Lo Wing-lok.

Members went through the recommendations and assigned tasks to respective parties. Relevant departments, authorities and agencies would be asked to draw up strategies and action plans to take forward the recommendations.

The task force had also set the time frame for each of these recommendations. Some urgent tasks would be accomplished in short term (within six months) while some would need longer time to plan, develop and achieve.

End/Tuesday, October 7, 2003
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