Press Releases
Co-operation Agreement on Response Mechanism for Public Health Emergencies signed
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, today (October 21)
signed a "Co-operation Agreement on Response Mechanism for Public Health
Emergencies" in Kunming, Yunnan Province, with the Vice-Minister of the
Mainland's Ministry of Health, Professor Huang Jiefu and the Secretary for
Social Affairs and Culture of Macao, Dr Chui Sai-on.
At the two-day (today and tomorrow) Fourth Joint Meeting of Senior Health
Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau held in Kunming, the three places
agreed on the notification and the co-ordination of emergency mechanism
concerning emerging any major infectious disease epidemic which might caused
serious disruptions to society. The three places would also enhance
collaboration in training and scientific research.
Dr Chow said co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong had been good. For
example, the Ministry of Health allowed Hong Kong experts to take part in the
investigation of the outbreak of streptococcus suis infection in Sichuan
Province this summer. Working on this model, Dr Chow said the Hong Kong health
authorities hoped to further enhance the co-operation with the Mainland and
Macau.
The signing of agreement by the three sides was a big leap forward on this
direction, he added.
"With rapid globalisation, public health incidents such as outbreak of
infectious disease could spread widely and affect many places. Whether the three
places can effectively handle such public health crisis will very much hinge on
our close collaboration," he said.
According to the agreement, in case of serious public health emergencies in the
Mainland, Macau or Hong Kong, a mutual co-ordination and support mechanism in
terms of manpower, techniques and resources would be in place. The three places
could also send experts to take part in dealing with such crisis upon mutual
agreement. If cross-boundary public health emergencies occur among the three
places or between any two, the concerned places would immediately notify the
other parties, activate the emergency mechanism, form a joint public health
emergency response team to handle the crisis.
In addition, in case of international major public health incidents, the three
sides could also form and field an emergency rescue team to assist upon mutual
agreement.
Ends/Friday, October 21, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:25
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