Press Releases

Government Laboratory celebrates 90th anniversary

The Government Laboratory today (December 1) celebrated its 90th anniversary as a discrete organisation, a status it achieved in 1913.

Officiating at the anniversary ceremony, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, said the Government Laboratory had over the years developed into a modern, multi-faceted organisation providing a very wide range of analytical, advisory and forensic services to a large number of Government departments.

Dr Yeoh added that the Laboratory had established an international reputation for excellence because of its ability to develop many of its techniques in-house.

"The modern techniques employed in the Government Laboratory make possible the identification of the minutest traces of such substances as pesticides, heavy metals or veterinary drug residues in foodstuffs, and the same is true for the determination of toxic pollutants in air and water.

"In the rapidly developing field of Chinese medicine, detailed attention is paid to the quality of products available on the market through analysis for adulterants and through chemical profiling of the herbal ingredients," he said.

Government Chemist Dr David Clarke said the development of the Laboratory had in many ways mirrored the development of Hong Kong and the changing needs of society.

"Today, it is the largest, most experienced and best-equipped chemical laboratory in Hong Kong.

"Our wide range of scientific activities support Government policies through a large number of Ordinances aimed at the maintenance of law and order, the protection of revenue, the environment and the consumer, and the interests of public health," Dr Clarke said.

Also attending today's ceremony were the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, and the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau.

Originally, the Laboratory's small staff combined their analytical duties with drug dispensing duties in the Government Civil Hospital.

In 1913, however, the Government Laboratory was officially separated from the Government Civil Hospital's administration, becoming a discrete organisation directly under the then-Medical Department.

The Government Laboratory remained under the wing of the Medical Department for a further 65 years, until 1978 when it became a separate agency of the Government.

Currently, the Government Laboratory had an establishment of nearly 400 staff, including over 100 highly qualified graduate scientists working in some 20 specialist areas.

Ends/Monday, December 1, 2003
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