Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Given the latest supply situation of measles vaccines, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (April 25) announced the extension of the staff measles vaccination programme to all staff members with inadequate immunity to measles.
 
     According to the recommendations by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, healthcare workers are among the priority groups to receive measles vaccination.
 
     “While public hospitals have already taken every infection control precaution, the extended vaccination coverage will provide additional protection for hospital staff with possible exposure to measles patients during their communicable period when the symptoms are non-specific,” the HA spokesperson said.
 
     Irrespective of their clinical departments, HA staff members who were born in 1967 or after, have not been confirmed to have had measles before, and have not received any or have only received one previous dose of measles vaccination can make an appointment for vaccination at the Staff Clinics beginning next Monday.
 
     According to information provided by the CHP, people who were born before 1967 or have received two documented doses of vaccination are generally considered to have immunity to measles and additional vaccination is not necessary.
 
     The HA’s staff measles vaccination programme commenced on April 1. Over 3,300 hospital staff members working in high-risk departments and with inadequate immunity have already been vaccinated. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     At the Administrative and Operational Meeting today (April 25), the Hospital Authority (HA) Board approved in principle to consider remuneration package enhancement for staff at obsolete ranks performing the same or similar duties as different ranks of Patient Care Assistant and Operation Assistant, for example, Health Care Assistant and Workman II.

     The enhancement arrangement will be explored in the second phase of the consultancy study, which is targeted to be completed by September this year. Upon completion of the study and consultation process, the HA will submit the enhancement proposal to the HA Board for deliberation. Subject to the Board’s approval, the enhancement arrangement will be implemented with retrospective effect from April 1 this year if applicable. 
 
     An HA spokesperson expressed gratitude to the staff concerned at obsolete ranks for their contributions over the years. The HA will continue to listen to the views of staff and explore proactively with a view to working out an appropriate proposal eventually.
 
     Upon considering the pay benchmarking with the general market conducted by the consultancy firm as well as the views from various stakeholders and representatives of the relevant consultative committees, the HA earlier implemented pay enhancement for various ranks of Patient Care Assistants, Operation Assistants and Executive Assistants who are remunerated under a pay range system to attract new recruits and retain serving staff to alleviate work pressure of front-line staff. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:        The meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee (FC) originally scheduled at 3pm tomorrow (April 26) in Conference Room 1 of th… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 25) that no additional case of measles infection has been recorded as at 4pm today.

     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of 16 persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 284.

     From tomorrow to Sunday (April 26 to 28), the vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 500 doses daily. Vaccination for eligible airport staff will be provided to the following target groups who:

(1) Were born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before, and with evidence of living with infants under 1 year old or living with pregnant women; or

(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG)

     Details of evidence are as follows:

(a) Supporting documents for living with infants under 1 year old: for example, birth certificate, discharge summary or vaccination card of the infant

(b) Supporting documents for living with pregnant women: for example, positive pregnancy tests or antenatal follow-up cards of the pregnant women

(c) Supporting documents for laboratory evidence: for example, blood results from the DH’s measles serology test or any laboratory within the past 12 months

     The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows:
 

Venue:	Multi-function Room, HKIA Tower (Level 5, Terminal 2)
Hours:	April 26 to 28 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm

     As for the blood test service, 12 blood samples have been collected today. The DH will notify the participants individually of the serology results.

      A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates during office hours from Mondays to Fridays. A total of 3 267 enquiries have been received so far. read more

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the dedicated session on Hong Kong themed “Belt and Road: Hong Kong IN” at the thematic forum on sub-national co-operation of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing this afternoon (April 25):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), I welcome you all to this “Hong Kong IN” session.

     Hong Kong is not only one of the most competitive cities in the world, but also a multicultural city in the heart of Asia. Under the unique “One Country, Two Systems” principle and enjoying unique strengths and advantages, we are a key link and a prime platform for the Belt and Road. For the past few years, the Hong Kong SAR Government has been playing the roles of “facilitator” and “promoter” in taking forward the Belt and Road Initiative, and we are pleased that various sectors in Hong Kong are all very enthusiastic to join this challenging and worthy cause.

     Today’s session will be moderated by Mrs Laura Cha, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, and joined by six delegates from Hong Kong who are among the most accomplished in their respective sectors. Over the next 40 minutes, they will share their insights on our city’s position as the Belt and Road hub in many aspects – ranging from finance and investment, legal and dispute resolution services, business and trade, professional services and capacity building to cultural exchange – as well as on how to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths and advantages in professional services and international expertise in enhancing regional co-operation. In short, today’s session will shed light on how Hong Kong can contribute to the Belt and Road, and hopefully will give you an extra boost of confidence in partnering with Hong Kong.

     Before I pass back to Laura, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organisers of this thematic forum – the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. My thanks also go to ministries and departments that have rendered us strong assistance, in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

     I wish you all a very rewarding session of the “Belt and Road: Hong Kong IN”. Thank you very much. read more