Author Archives: hksar gov

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Lantau South this afternoon (August 1) in which a 64-year-old man died.      At about 4.25pm, a private car driven by a 60-year-old man was t… read more

     Correctional officers stopped four remand persons in custody from assaulting another remand person in custody at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre today (Aug 1).        At 2.25pm, four male persons in cust… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (August 1) announced that in response to the earlier announcement by the Department of Health (DH) on the recall of the anti-hypertensive drug Valtensin (80mg tablets and 160mg tablets, containing the active drug ingredient valsartan) as it was found to contain an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine, an optional drug replacement will be offered to public hospital patients.
  
     Starting from this Saturday (August 4), the HA will arrange drug replacement counters at 18 designated public hospitals for two weeks for public hospital patients who had been dispensed with the drug Valtensin on or before July 6 to opt for replacement with alternative supply of valsartan tablets from other suppliers.
 
     The spokesperson pointed out that all public hospitals have already ceased to dispense the drug concerned, Valtensin (80 mg tablets and 160mg tablets), from July 6 in response to the DH recall. According to the assessment of clinical experts, there is no immediate risk to patients in continued intake of the drug. The experts are also of the view that an abrupt stop in taking the drug might cause an adverse effect on the patient’s condition. Hence, patients who were dispensed with the drug are recommended to not stop taking it until they attend their next follow-up consultations, in which the patients would be prescribed the appropriate replacement medication after medical assessment.
 
     “The HA has recently secured adequate quantities of alternative supplies from overseas, which is sufficient to replace the quantities previously dispensed to patients. Therefore, patients can now opt for drug replacement before their next follow-up appointment,” the spokesperson said.
     
     “Patients who choose to replace their drugs on hand should bring along their ID card with the drugs (see photos), or ask their delegate to bring along a copy of the patient’s ID card and the drugs on hand, and go to any of the 18 designated counters as listed below during the period from August 4 to 17 for drug replacement after verification by the pharmacist on their respective dispensing records. No payment is required for the drug replacement.”
 
     The spokesperson stressed that since the drug replacement service will last for two weeks from 9am to 9pm on a daily basis, patients can take their time to visit for drug replacement. Furthermore, patients who have their follow-up appointments at clinics in outlying islands will individually be notified on the drug replacement arrangements. The HA will also continue to closely liaise with the DH on the matter. 
 
     The 18 designated drug replacement counters are listed below:
 

Hospital	Location of Drug Replacement Counter	Enquiry Number
Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital	Main Pharmacy, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital	6460 0553
Ruttonjee Hospital	Pharmacy, G/F, Admin Building, Ruttonjee Hospital	2291 2079
Queen Mary Hospital	Central Pharmacy, 1/F, Block S, Queen Mary Hospital	2255 6649
Tung Wah Hospital	Pharmacy, 1/F, Centenary Building, Tung Wah Hospital	2589 8111
Queen Elizabeth Hospital	Pharmacy, 2/F, Ambulatory Care Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital	5278 2982
Kwong Wah Hospital	Pharmacy, 1/F, North Wing,  Kwong Wah Hospital	3517 2700
Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital	Pharmacy, LG, Outpatient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital	2354 0500
United Christian Hospital	Pharmacy, G/F, Block S, United Christian Hospital	3949 4000
Tseung Kwan O Hospital	Pharmacy, LG/F, Hospital Main Block, Tseung Kwan O Hospital	2208 0111
Princess Margaret Hospital	Pharmacy, LG2, Block A, Princess Margaret Hospital	2370 0980
Caritas Medical Centre	Pharmacy, LG1, Wai Ming Block, Caritas Medical Centre	3408 6348
North Lantau Hospital	Pharmacy, 3/F,  North Lantau Hospital	3467 7340
Yan Chai Hospital	Pharmacy, 1/F, Block C, Yan Chai Hospital	2417 8383
Prince of Wales Hospital	Main Pharmacy, 1/F, Main Clinical Block and Trauma Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital	5569 9855
Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital	Pharmacy, B1, Block C, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital	2689 2699
North District Hospital	Out-patient Pharmacy, North District Hospital	2683 7561
Tuen Mun Hospital	Pharmacy, G/F, Ambulatory Care Centre, Tuen Mun Hospital (Saturday and Sunday) Pharmacy, G/F, Main Block, Tuen Mun Hospital (Monday to Friday)	2468 6872
Pok Oi Hospital	Pharmacy, M/F, Central Wing, Pok Oi Hospital	2401 4592

 
Drug replacement period: August 4 (Saturday) to August 17 (Friday)
Service hours: 9am to 9pm daily read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (August 1):
 
     Three female children (aged 7 to 12) with history of chronic illnesses residing in the Paediatric Developmental Disabilities Unit of Caritas Medical Centre presented with gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea and fever since July 24. Laboratory tests were arranged and revealed positive results for Sapovirus. One of the children suffering from multiple chronic systemic illnesses passed away on July 27 due to a complication of septic shock. The other two are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The transmission of Sapovirus is mainly through the faecal-oral route. The symptoms of Sapovirus include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, chills, headache, myalgia and malaise. A healthy person would normally recover within a few days after being infected with the virus. However, severe complications may occur in persons with chronic illnesses.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended. The children’s relatives have been informed about the situation. Infection control measures of the ward have been stepped up according to the established guidelines. All other children and staff in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 1) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places of visit. The case is detailed below: 
 

Sex	Male
Age	43
Affected area involved	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
High-risk exposure	Camel ride
Hospital	Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Condition	Stable
MERS-Coronavirus preliminary test result	Pending

 
     “Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),” a spokesman for the CHP said.    

     Locally, the CHP’s surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more