Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹The Department of Health (DH) today (April 22) announced that a new set of growth charts, i.e. the Hong Kong 2020 Growth References (HK2020), with new references and definitions will be adopted by the DH starting from the second half of this year as a better tool to assess and monitor the growth of children and adolescents.

     A spokesman for the DH said that growth charts serve as an important reference tool for clinical assessment of an individual child, and facilitate the monitoring of growth trends of the entire population of children and the timely adjustment of public health measures and strategies on enhancing children’s health. To study the growth of contemporary Hong Kong children and review the existing growth charts developed in 1993 (HK1993), the DH, the Department of Paediatrics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the University of Hong Kong jointly conducted the Hong Kong Growth Study (HKGS) which was funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) of the Health Bureau. The research team also reviewed whether the Child Growth Standards developed by the World Health Organization for children 0 to 5 years old in 2006 (WHO2006) was suitable to be adopted for use in Hong Kong.

     The key characteristics of the HKGS and the development of the HK2020 include the following:

1. The study was funded by the HMRF of the Health Bureau. The HMRF has been supporting various health and medical research to inform health policies and improve population health through evidence-based scientific knowledge;
2. Apart from the funding from the HMRF, the HKGS reviewed and analysed the growth data of over two million local children collected by the DH’s Family Health Service and Student Health Service. In addition, a population-based growth survey was conducted from 2019 to 2022, with growth data collected from over 21 300 infants, children and adolescents at hospitals, health centres and education institutes; and
3. The HKGS results revealed a clear secular trend in height for children and adolescents in Hong Kong. Thus a new set of growth charts for child-growth monitoring is required in Hong Kong.

     Based on the data collected in the growth survey and advice from local and overseas experts, four sets of gender-specific growth charts for children 0 to 18 years are developed in the HK2020, namely (1) Weight-for-age charts; (2) Length/height-for-age charts; (3) Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age charts; and (4) Head circumference-for-age charts. Comparing the new and old growth charts, the weight and height in HK2020 were higher than that in HK1993, particularly at pubertal ages. Notably, an increase of about 2 centimetres in median height was found for boys and girls at the age of 18.

     Moreover, the data of Hong Kong children 0-5 years in the survey also fitted the WHO2006 reasonably well. The HKGS concluded that HK2020 for 0 to 18 years and WHO2006 for 0 to 5 years are suitable for use for Hong Kong children. Also, as  the distribution of body fat for children changes with age, the study recommended an updated definition and assessment for overweight/obesity by using BMI-for-age instead of weight-for-height. The growth assessment in many places (including the Mainland, the United Kingdom and the United States) are also using BMI as a reference. The DH will continue its healthy lifestyle promotion among children and parents and various health promotion programmes (such as the Whole School Health Programme) in order to better prevent and improve the overweight situation of the children.

     To provide an updated reference tool to assess and monitor the growth of children and adolescents, the DH will adopt the HK2020 at its Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) and Student Health Service Centres (SHSCs) for growth monitoring of children aged 0 to 5 years and 6 to 18 years respectively. The new growth charts are expected to be deployed in July this year for MCHCs and in September this year for SHSCs. Starting from September this year, the Hospital Authority will implement the new growth charts in its hospitals in phases, with a view to rolling out to all its hospitals by end of 2024. The District Health Centres currently providing services targeted at children, including group classes and outreach health risk assessment, will also support the launching of the new growth charts. In addition, the DH will also send letters to healthcare professional bodies and stakeholders to inform them of the study and the new growth charts. Moreover, the new growth chart shall also be made available in the eHealth app for use and viewing.

     Relevant information of the study will be made available at the HKGS website as well as the website of DH for reference and use by professionals. For more information on the updated set of growth charts, please visit www.dh.gov.hk/english/useful/useful_PP_Growth_Chart/useful_PP_Growth_Chart.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/useful/useful_HP_Growth_Chart/useful_HP_Growth_Chart.html. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 22) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.

     The case involves a 6-year-old girl with good past health. She developed a fever and cough since April 19 and sought medical attention at Union Hospital on April 20. She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital on April 20 due to worsening of symptoms and was admitted the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital on the same day. She was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit of Hong Kong Children’s Hospital for treatment on April 20 evening. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. She is now in critical condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts are currently asymptomatic. The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, “Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website.”

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information. read more

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) hosted a reception on the occasion of Hong Kong’s participation in the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva on April 19 (Geneva time). 

     A Hong Kong delegation of close to 700 participants from 40 institutions, including universities, research and development (R&D) centres, laboratories, technology companies, government departments, and primary and secondary schools, exhibited more than 360 projects at the exhibition. Among over 1 000 inventions this year, the Hong Kong delegation won 28 Gold Medals with Congratulations of Jury and 114 Gold Medals, totalling a record high of over 350 prizes. 

     The Government accords top priority to promoting innovation and technology (I&T) development and establishing Hong Kong as an international I&T centre. Speaking at the reception, the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto, highlighted the Government’s commitment and recent policies to foster an innovation-friendly environment in Hong Kong, in particular supporting R&D activities and commercialisation of their outcomes.  

     “In this year’s Budget, we have doubled the maximum funding to the Technology Transfer Office of each specified university, and will also be providing annual subsidies to nurture start-up development within the universities. And just last year, we have launched the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme to promote the ‘1 to N’ transformation. The scheme aims to encourage the commercialisation and technology transfer of universities’ R&D outcomes, and will fund at least 100 research teams from local universities which have good potential to become successful start-ups,” Ms Szeto explained.

     In addition, the Government has also been spearheading efforts to attract I&T talent. To accelerate the expansion of the talent pool, the Government has launched the Technology Talent Admission Scheme, providing a fast-track arrangement for companies to admit young tech talent from abroad to undertake R&D work in Hong Kong.  

     Founded in 1972, the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is the largest global exhibition exclusively devoted to inventions. This year’s event showcased a record high of more than 1 000 inventions from about 40 countries and regions.  

About HKETO Berlin

     HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Switzerland as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia. 

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     The Commission on Children (CoC) held a stakeholder engagement event on the theme of “Mental Health of Children and Positive Parenting” this afternoon (April 22), attended by a total of about 120 primary school students and their parents. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Vice-chairperson of the CoC, Mr Chris Sun, joined and listened to views from children and parents on how to improve physical and mental well-being through interactive activities. Representatives of the Education Bureau and the Department of Health also attended.

     The engagement event featured a parent-child film, sharing of parenting experience, group games and parent-child interactive activities. The purpose was to encourage positive parenting and cultivate a loving environment conducive to children’s growth, thereby enhancing their mental health. Non-official members of the CoC assisted in moderating the group games and parent sharing sessions. Children were encouraged to speak up and express their emotional needs, and understand and embrace their emotions. Parents were offered advice on how to establish positive thinking for children and cater for their mental health.

     Under the “Walk with Kids” thematic campaign of the CoC, the stakeholder engagement event is the first event this year. With children’s mental health and positive parenting as the focus, it aims to raise the awareness of parents on children’s psychological and emotional well-being, and forge a pro-child community conducive to a healthy and happy childhood and children’s development.

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     The Department of Health (DH) today (April 22) called on healthcare and clinic staff members as well as the public to stay vigilant against a bogus phone call and email that falsely claimed to be made by staff members of t… read more