Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
The Civil Engineering and Development Department today (November 9) announced that as the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Mui Wo Temporary Public Fill Reception Facility will be close at 5.40pm until further notice.
The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Tai Wai this afternoon (November 9) in which a man died.
The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.
The Health Bureau, the Department of Health (DH) and Radio Television Hong Kong held an event today (November 9) to celebrate Organ Donation Day 2024. With the theme "Pass on hope with a gift of life" this year, the event aims to appeal to all sectors of society for their continued support for organ donations to rekindle hopes for a new lease of life for patients in need of organ transplants.
Officiating at the event, the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, said, "Organ donations are a selfless and generous act of benevolence to save lives. I am very delighted to see a growing awareness of organ donation among the public in recent years, with more and more people joining the ranks of organ donors. Currently, more than 380 000 individuals have already registered in the Centralised Organ Donation Register. Nevertheless, the number of donor organs is still far from enough to meet the needs of patients, with more than 2 000 patients still awaiting organ transplantation in Hong Kong. Due to limited organs available for transplant, many patients are struggling to battle their diseases every day, with some of them having passed away while waiting for suitable organs. To shorten patients' waiting time for organ transplants and to bring new life to them, we hope that members of the public can actively support organ donation."
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, also expressed his highest respect to all organ donors and commended their selfless dedication in his speech. Dr Lam said, "Past thematic household surveys conducted by the Government found that among the respondents who were not willing to donate organs after death, the majority cited keeping the body intact as the main reason. For this traditional belief, many religious organisations affirm that organ donation does not violate their religious beliefs, and call on their followers to support organ donation."
With a view to promoting organ donations and inculcating a positive culture of supporting organ donations in Hong Kong, the Government has designated since 2016 the second Saturday of every November as Organ Donation Day and the anniversary of the launching of the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR).
Established in 2008, the CODR aims to facilitate the voluntary registration of potential organ donors and properly document their wishes to donate organs after death. Relevant medical personnel involved in organ donation can access the electronic database following a patient's death to ascertain whether the deceased had registered for organ donation prior to passing. This allows timely communication with the deceased's family members to obtain their consent for organ donation to benefit patients awaiting transplants.
At the event, Organ Donation Day 2024 ambassadors Ms Minnie Soo and Mr Ruco Chan shared their views on supporting organ donations. A family member of an organ donor also spoke on his experience to encourage the public to communicate their wishes to family members as early as possible in order to reduce the latter's hesitation and confusion in making the decision to donate organs upon their death.
The DH has initiated a new round of organ donation promotion campaign last month. From October 18 to November 28, the organ donation promotion vehicle will travel to various locations across the territory for members of the public to register on the spot their intent to donate organs after death. For the parking locations of the organ donation promotion vehicle, please visit the thematic webpage at www.organdonation.gov.hk/en/promotional_activities.html.
The DH will continue to set up organ donation promotion booths at various locations throughout Hong Kong to remind the public of the "3Ss" motto of organ donation i.e. to register their wishes in the central register (Sign up), inform family members (Speak out), and advocate for organ donation among relatives and friends (Spread out).
In addition, members of the public may register on CODR website: www.codr.gov.hk, or send completed registration forms via mail or fax to the CODR Office. The DH urges members of public who have signed an organ donation card to register in the CODR, so that they do not have to worry about losing or forgetting to carry the organ donation card with them.
For further information on organ donations, please visit the thematic website at www.organdonation.gov.hk or the "Organ Donation in Hong Kong" Facebook page at www.facebook.com/organdonationhk.
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 (November 9) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Deep Water Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
The Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP), designed and constructed by the Civil Engineering and Development Department and managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, was officially opened today (November 9) for public visits.
The LVNP integrates wetland conservation, eco-friendly farming, and nature education. Covering an area of approximately 37 hectares, the LVNP adopts an open design divided into three management zones, namely the Biodiversity Zone for core conservation, the Agriculture Zone for eco-friendly farming, and the Visitor Zone equipped with facilities for visitors and educational activities.
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, Mr Lau Kwok-fan; the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong; and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tse stated that the establishment of the LVNP for active conservation of Long Valley by the Government represents a breakthrough. By proactively restoring abandoned farmlands and some dry farmlands into various wetland habitats, including wet farmlands, a water flea pond, shallow ponds and marshes, as well as constructing irrigation channels to nurture various wildlife and facilitate eco-friendly farming practices, the LVNP not only better conserves Long Valley but also achieves the complementary objectives of ecological conservation and agriculture. Since construction began in 2019, the LVNP has achieved encouraging conservation results. Over the past three years, the numbers of critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola), nests of Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), and endangered Black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) have all increased severalfold.
Ms Linn said in her speech that there are urban development as well as important culture and ecological environments in the Northern Metropolis. The LVNP possesses high ecological value and has effectively enhanced the wetland habitats. The necessary supporting infrastructure and visitor facilities have also been built, demonstrating the Government's commitment to feature "Urban-Rural Integration and Co-existence of Development and Conservation" in the development of the Northern Metropolis.
The Opening Fun Day will be held at the LVNP today and tomorrow, featuring in-depth tours, a farmers' market, game booths, art and crafts workshops, and music performances. Free shuttle bus services between Fanling MTR Station and the LVNP will be provided. Admission is free, and the public is welcome to join. For details, please visit the LVNP's website (www.lvnp.gov.hk).
