Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations (with photos)
​Upon invitation of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission (BJHC), the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, led a delegation to attend working meetings with health authorities of Beijing together with representatives of the Hospital Authority. Dr Lam also attended the Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation of the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), where he delivered a keynote speech, and participated in the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference.
During his meeting with the Party Committee Secretary of the BJHC, Mr Zhong Dongbo, Dr Lam reviewed the progress of key health and medical initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, including the application of innovation and technology in public health, the Department of Health's (DH) efforts in strengthening health services and interventions through a life course approach, and achievements in the digitalisation of communicable disease prevention and control measures, etc. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on standardisation of Chinese medicine and the development of maternal and child health services, agreeing to strengthen co-operation in medical innovation and technology.
Dr Lam emphasised that, "The strengths of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) healthcare system lie in its high-quality medical professionals and a comprehensive healthcare system and legal framework. Hong Kong is the only city in Asia with five world's Top 100 universities. Meanwhile, Beijing, a leader in healthcare, has the most Tier III Class A hospitals and national medical centres which rank first in the country, along with a wealth of diagnostic interventions and a diverse spectrum of specialised disease databases. Strengthening collaboration will enable both sides to join force in medical innovation research and seize opportunities for high-quality development of the nation's healthcare services by leveraging Hong Kong's unique role as a super connector, thereby contributing to the building of a healthy country which also stands tall in science and technology!"
This year's CIFTIS Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation focused on "Innovation Promotes Global Health Equity and Accessibility". In his keynote speech, Dr Lam introduced various strategies and measures the HKSAR Government is implementing to establish the city as an international medical innovation hub. He also shared the DH's public health innovation strategy, emphasising the importance of talent training, digital transformation, data management and fostering an innovative culture with a view to enhance convenience, enhance efficiency, and developing smart healthcare. This approach aligned with the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the goals set forth in the Policy Address by the HKSAR Government in pursuing a "Healthy Hong Kong".
During the visit to Beijing, the DH representatives also attended the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference and exchanged views with participants on global health management, establishment of services that promotes healthy aging, as well as innovations in artificial intelligence. The delegation also participated in the 7th Belt and Road Forum for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Development to report on TCM development. Afterwards, the delegation visited the National Cancer Centre to facilitate mutual understanding on the work and development of cancer prevention, screening, treatment and rehabilitation. Dr Lam also witnessed the DH and the Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, which is a subsidiary organisation under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, signing a Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines that covers a period of five years.
Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, and the Principal Medial Officer (Service and Manpower Planning), Dr Anne Chee, also joined the visit. The delegation will return to Hong Kong today (September 14).
