SFH visits Sha Tin District (with photos)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (April 24) visited Sha Tin to meet with members of the Sha Tin District Council (STDC). She also visited Mei Lam Estate and Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) to learn about the environmental hygiene conditions and medical services in the district.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Sha Tin), Miss Amy Chan, Professor Chan first met with the Chairman of the STDC, Mr Ho Hau-cheung, and other STDC members to listen to their views on various healthcare and environmental hygiene issues.
Professor Chan then proceeded to Mei Lam Estate to view the implementation of the anti-rodent operation in designated target areas under the Sha Tin District-led Actions Scheme. She said she was pleased to learn that the four anti-rodent operations conducted earlier had achieved positive results. The fifth anti-rodent operation is currently being carried out in Mei Lam Estate and May Shing Court.
She stressed, “Effective rodent control hinges on sustained co-operation between the community and the Government. Apart from enhancing rodent control work in all districts, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department also carries out public education and publicity in the community to encourage the public to actively participate in preventing rodent infestation by eliminating food sources and hiding places for rodents as well as blocking their dispersal routes so as to eliminate the three survival conditions of rodents, namely food, harbourage and passages.”
Professor Chan then visited PWH to see the progress of its Phase II Redevelopment Project (Stage 1). The redevelopment project, which is under the 10-year Hospital Development Plan launched by the Hospital Authority (HA) in 2016, includes renovating and refurbishing existing buildings as well as constructing a new In-patient Extension Block to cater for the demands of clinical service planning, teaching, research and future development needs.
She said, “An addition of some 450 beds and 16 operating theatres is expected to be provided upon the completion of the PWH Phase II Redevelopment Project (Stage 1). The HA will commence in a timely manner the preparatory work for the Stage 2 Redevelopment to construct an Ambulatory Care Centre and a Cancer Centre to meet residents’ demand for healthcare services.”
Professor Chan also chatted with front-line staff of the hospital to learn about their working conditions. She said, “I understand that front-line staff are facing great pressure resulting from an ageing population, an increasing demand for medical services, and a shortage of manpower. I am very grateful to our colleagues for giving their utmost in looking after those who are suffering from various diseases. The Government is very concerned about the healthcare manpower situation and will continue to work together with the HA, medical organisations and stakeholders to address the issue of healthcare manpower shortage, particularly in the public healthcare system.”
