Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between January and March 2019. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2019 was provided to the media in September 2018. No change has been made to the original schedule.
 

Note: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2018 and the whole year of 2018 together with other supporting materials will be released along with the Financial Secretary's "Budget Speech". According to the Financial Secretary's Office, the Budget is scheduled to be delivered on February 27, 2019. No separate press release on the GDP for the fourth quarter of 2018 and the whole year of 2018 will be issued by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) on that day.

     The schedule for regular press releases in the other months of 2019 can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/index.jsp).

     The Department of Health (DH) will roll out the second phase of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRCSP) tomorrow (January 1), extending the coverage to Hong Kong residents aged 56 to 75, i.e. those born in the years 1943 to 1963, to enrol in subsidised screening tests for the prevention of colorectal cancer.
 
     The CRCSP is heavily subsidised by the Government. Participants shall attend a medical consultation by an enrolled primary care doctor (PCD) to receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening. A government subsidy of $280 per consultation applies including the second consultation to follow up on a positive FIT test result. Meanwhile, under the standard colonoscopy service package targeted at FIT-positive participants, the subsidy amount is $8,500 if polyp removal is necessary, while the amount is $7,800 if no polyp removal is needed. Colonoscopy specialists may charge a co-payment not exceeding $1,000 when providing the standard colonoscopy examination service.

     The Programme, which started on August 6 this year, will be implemented in three phases to subsidise asymptomatic Hong Kong residents aged 50 to 75 to undergo screening tests. Phase one covers people aged 61 to 75 as the first batch to join, while phase three will further extend the coverage to those aged 50 to 75. Details and the commencement date of phase three will be announced in due course.
 
     Details of the screening pathway are as follows:
 
(1) Eligible persons must first make an appointment with a PCD participating in the Programme. After enrolment in the Programme, the participant will receive a government subsidy to undergo the FIT; and
 
(2) If the FIT result is positive, the participant will be referred to see a colonoscopy specialist who has enrolled in the Programme to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government in order to find out the cause of bleeding.
 
     FIT-negative participants under the CRCSP should receive FIT re-screening every two years until they pass the age of 75 in order to maximise the Programme's capability to prevent colorectal cancer. Since this September, FIT-negative participants have started receiving reminders via SMS, email or post when they are due for re-screening. They can visit any enrolled PCD clinic to receive subsidised FIT re-screening services.
 
     Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer locally. In 2016, there were 5,437 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases, accounting for 17.3 per cent of all new cancer cases, or about one in six new cancer cases. In 2017, colorectal cancer resulted in 2,138 deaths, accounting for 14.9 per cent of all cancer deaths, or about one in seven cancer deaths. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in Hong Kong, coming only after lung cancer.
 
     Colorectal cancer is preventable through adopting a healthy lifestyle and well-organised screening. Prognosis of colorectal cancer can be significantly improved by early detection and prompt treatment. Eligible persons are encouraged not to miss joining the CRCSP.
 
     Eligible persons are also reminded to enrol in the electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS) if they wish to join the Programme. For details, please visit the eHRSS website at www.ehealth.gov.hk or call the Registration Office at 3467 6300. 
 
     For more information and the list of enrolled PCDs, please visit the DH's thematic website www.colonscreen.gov.hk.
 
     The DH also operates a dedicated hotline (3565 6288) to provide direct response to the public regarding CRCSP during office hours.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates of medical wards in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     The Central People's Government, on the recommendation and nomination of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has approved the appointment of Mr John Chu Nai-cheung as Director of Audit and the removal of Mr David Sun Tak-kei from the post of Director of Audit with effect from today (December 31).

     "Mr Sun served the public with devotion during the past six and a half years as Director of Audit. Under his able leadership, the Audit Commission carried out auditing of accounts and value-for-money studies in a highly professional manner, and supported the work of the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Council. This has assisted government bureaux and departments as well as public sector organisations in pursuing continuous improvement of their governance and performance," Mrs Lam said.

     "I respect Mr Sun’s wish to retire and thank him for his efforts in nurturing departmental talents for a seamless succession. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Sun for his contribution to the HKSAR and I wish him a happy retirement," she added.

     On the appointment of Mr Chu, Mrs Lam said, “Mr Chu has served in the Audit Commission for over 30 years. He is familiar with the work of the department, and has solid professional auditing expertise as well as sound leadership skills. I am confident that Mr Chu is capable of leading the Audit Commission to scale new heights."

Following are the biographical notes on Mr Sun and Mr Chu.  

Mr David Sun Tak-kei 
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     Aged 65. Mr Sun was appointed to the post of Director of Audit in July 2012. Before joining the Government, he was Far East Area Chairman of Ernst & Young until he retired in 2010. He is a former President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a former Chairman of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Advisory Committee and a former Chairman of the Council of the City University of Hong Kong. He is a fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  

Mr John Chu Nai-cheung
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     Aged 58. Mr Chu joined the Accounting Officer Grade in the Treasury in January 1984. He transferred to the Audit Commission in September 1988 for appointment as an Auditor. He was promoted to Principal Auditor in July 2006 and to Assistant Director of Audit in October 2010. He was promoted to Deputy Director of Audit in July 2015.

    

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 31) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.