The Department of Health (DH) will fully implement the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRCSP) tomorrow (January 1), further extending its coverage to Hong Kong residents aged 50 to 75, i.e. those born in the years 1944 to 1970, to enrol in screening tests subsidised by the Government for the prevention of colorectal cancer.
 
     Regularised in August last year, the CRCSP heavily subsidises  asymptomatic Hong Kong residents to undergo screening tests for colorectal cancer with no quota for participants.
 
     Participants shall attend a medical consultation by an enrolled primary care doctor (PCD) and will receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening arranged by the PCD. A government subsidy of $280 per consultation applies including the second consultation by the PCD to follow up on a positive FIT test result.  Under the CRCSP, about 97% of the service locations of enrolled PCDs will not require additional charges.

     If the FIT result is positive, the participant will be referred to an enrolled colonoscopy specialist to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government in order to find out the cause of bleeding. Under the standard colonoscopy service package targeted at FIT-positive participants, the subsidy amount is $8,500 if polyp removal is necessary, whereas 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. Overall, more than 70% of the locations of enrolled colonoscopy specialists will not require additional charges.
 
     And for FIT-negative participants, they should receive FIT re-screening every two years until they pass the age of 75 so as to maximise the Programme's capability to prevent colorectal cancer. They will receive reminders via SMS, email or postal mail when they are due for re-screening. The subsidised FIT re-screening services are provided in any enrolled PCD clinic.
 
     A spokesman for the DH said that the screenings can identify those who have colorectal cancer before they present with symptoms, or individuals at increased risk of colorectal cancer and enable them to receive early treatment, thus improving the prognosis significantly. And with colorectal adenoma removed in the course of a colonoscopy, these lesions are also prevented from turning into cancer.
 
     The spokesman called on eligible persons to join the CRCSP as soon as possible, and prevent colorectal cancer by leading a healthy lifestyle and having well-organised screenings.
　　 
     Eligible persons who are interested to join the CRCSP should enrol in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS). Please refer to the eHRSS website at www.ehealth.gov.hk or call the Registration Office at 3467 6300 for details. 
 
     For more information on the CRCSP, please visit the DH's thematic website www.colonscreen.gov.hk or call the dedicated hotline (3565 6288) during office hours.

     The Government today (December 31) tightened the emission requirements of Franchised Bus Low Emission Zones (FBLEZs) to Euro V or above emission standards to further improve the roadside air quality at busy corridors within the FBLEZs as well as in those districts where low emission buses operate.

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said, "Since December 31, 2015, the Government has set up FBLEZs at Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay, the junction of Des Voeux Road Central and Pedder Street in Central, and the junction of Nathan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road in Mong Kok respectively. In these FBLEZs, franchised bus companies were required to deploy low emission buses meeting Euro IV or above emission standards to routes running through them." The location maps are attached in the Annex.

     The EPD spokesman added, "Currently, the bus routes running through the three FBLEZs are operated by the Kowloon Motor Bus Co (1933) Limited as well as Citybus Limited and New World First Bus Services Limited. These three franchised bus companies already have sufficient Euro V low emission buses for deployment to the bus routes running through the FBLEZs. In case of exceptional conditions such as traffic congestion, vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents and ad-hoc trips, they may need to deploy non-low emission buses to ply the FBLEZs occasionally in order to maintain normal bus services."

     The franchised bus companies will report to the EPD and the Transport Department on a regular basis regarding the deployment of buses to the FBLEZs. These two departments will closely monitor the implementation of the FBLEZs.

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, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold the North District Recruitment and Training Expo 2020 at Po Wing Road Sports Centre in Sheung Shui on January 3 (Friday).
      
     A total of 72 organisations will participate in the Expo. Among them, 65 organisations, mainly from the catering, retail and property management industries, will offer over 4 600 vacancies and conduct on-the-spot recruitment at their booths. Seven training organisations will provide information on their training courses to visitors. Two skill demonstration sessions on repair and maintenance of flush cisterns and simulation of electric arc welding will also be held in the afternoon.
      
     The vacancies offered cover a wide variety of positions including fundraising ambassador, clinic assistant, shop assistant, clerk, security guard, driver, technician, equestrian assistant, storekeeper, cashier, cook, waiter/waitress, elderly sitter and beautician. Job seekers can find more information on the LD's Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk).
      
     Around 77 per cent of the vacancies are full-time jobs and most of them offer monthly salaries ranging from $10,000 to $19,000. Over 99 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Six education level or below. Around 72 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant experience.
      
     Job seekers can submit applications on the spot and may be selected by employers for on-site interviews. They can also enquire about the employment programmes and services provided by the LD at its counter.
      
     The Expo will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at Po Wing Road Sports Centre, 19 Pak Wo Road, Sheung Shui (next to Sheung Shui Government Secondary School). Admission is free.

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 in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.