Press Releases
Mainland offers full support to HK in combating communicable diseases
The Minister of Health, Mr Gao Qiang, today (June 7) visited the Health, Welfare
and Food Bureau and met the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, Dr
York Chow, and other officials, to share operating experience in combating
communicable diseases.
The two sides exchanged views on the future cooperation between the Mainland and
Hong Kong in the area.
Dr Chow said after the meeting that Mr Gao had indicated that the Mainland
accorded high priority to the control of communicable diseases. In case there
were an outbreak of avian influenza in the Mainland, the Mainland authorities
would ensure timely notification and exchange of information, implement control
and prevention measures and strived to contain the spread of the pandemic.
"Mr Gao emphasised that the Central Government would offer full assistance to
the HKSAR in combating large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. The Mainland
authorities would notify Hong Kong promptly about the situation in the event of
infectious disease outbreaks.
"Mr Gao proposed that the two places, on the basis of continued enhancement of
infectious disease information exchange, should set up a cooperation mechanism
in respect of their response systems for public health emergencies. The Central
Government would also offer the necessary assistance in respect of expertise and
resources in the event of infectious disease outbreaks in Hong Kong and Macao,"
Dr Chow said.
"The HKSAR is very grateful to the Central Government for its attention and
support. Hong Kong will continue to work closely with the Central Government in
combating communicable diseases," he added.
Dr Chow pointed out that past experience had revealed that communicable diseases
respected no geographical boundaries; the globalisation had posed ever
increasing threats to our public health system. Close co-operation among the
Mainland, Hong Kong and international health authorities was essential for
containing the spread of emerging communicable diseases successfully.
On Hong Kong's participation in international public health affairs, Dr Chow
said: "With a view to enhancing the HKSAR's capabilities in the surveillance of
and fighting against major public health crises (including large-scale
communicable disease outbreaks), the HKSAR Government would like to step up
technical exchange with the World Health Organization (WHO). This will help Hong
Kong understand more about the WHO's effort in the surveillance, control and
prevention of communicable diseases. In this regard, the Department of Health
will arrange to send their professional health care staff for attachment
training in the WHO."
Mr Gao supported this proposal. The Ministry of Health would actively help the
SAR Government liaise with the WHO on training matters.
Dr Chow also indicated that, in addition to strengthening local measures for
safeguarding public health, the HKSAR, as part of the People's Republic of
China, would be pleased to contribute to regional efforts in public health
matters.
Dr Chow raised at the meeting that, in case major regional incidents like the
recent South Asian tsunami occurred, voluntary health care professionals from
the HKSAR would like to join the Central Government's rescue operations team to
visit the affected areas to offer appropriate assistance in respect of medical
advice and control of communicable diseases.
Mr Gao expressed much appreciation and support for this and indicated that the
Central Government considers that it has the responsibility to help the affected
places for the sake of international humanitarianism. The Central Government
would welcome health care professionals from the HKSAR to join those of the
Mainland in international health-related rescue operations.
The Minister of Health Mr Gao Qiang is currently in Hong Kong for a one-week
visit for understanding the latest developments in the SAR.
Ends/Tuesday, June 7, 2005
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