Press Releases

Acting SFH on delay in handling baby dead body

Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Acting Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Gabriel Leung, on an incident at the mortuary of Princess Margaret Hospital involving delay in handling the dead body of a baby, at a media session after attending a public function today (October 23):

Reporter: ...... (About the incident)

Acting Secretary for Food and Health: When I learnt about this incident last night, I felt shocked and saddened. Saddened that a similar incident has happened again, but most of all saddened for the family who have already lost a child in the process. Please allow me this opportunity to apologise and send my deepest condolences to the family once again. I have already asked the Hospital Authority to thoroughly investigate the incident and report back with a detailed submission within two weeks. Given all the improvement measures, both in terms of hardware as well as software including more detailed guidance to frontline colleagues, this incident has happened. I think it really deserves close scrutiny including the environment and culture of our hospital mortuary at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Reporter: ...... (About the penalty)

Acting Secretary for Food and Health: I think it will be premature and inappropriate for me to speculate on the specific details of the case before the completion of the report. So I would like to ask for your indulgence and allow the space and the two-week time period for the Hospital Authority and Princess Margaret Hospital to come up with the complete report before we make any decision forward.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)


Ends/Saturday, October 23, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:48

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