CE welcomes arrival of Mainland medical support team in Hong Kong (with photos/video)

     The latest batch of around 300 members of the Mainland medical support team, arranged by the Central Authorities upon the request of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), to assist in the treatment of COVID-19 patients arrived in Hong Kong today (March 16). The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, together with the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, welcomed the team at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. The medical support team will fully collaborate with the HA to enhance the capability of the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo to provide appropriate treatment for more COVID-19 patients in need as soon as possible.

     The community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo came into operation in August 2020 for treating COVID-19 patients in a stable condition and with the ability to take care of themselves. However, the facility with 1 450 beds has not been able to be more fully utilised owing to the shortage of the HA's manpower. Upon the joining of the support team formed by professional medical personnel from the Mainland in the HA's team, more patients, including the elderly, with mild to moderate symptoms can be taken care of at the facility. The latest batch of medical personnel who arrived today will join the other team members having arrived earlier to familiarise themselves with the environment and will commence work of treating patients in the days ahead.

     Mrs Lam said, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Central Authorities and the Guangdong Provincial Government for sending the medical support team in batches to Hong Kong to enhance our anti-epidemic work on 'reducing severe cases and reducing deaths'. The new anti-epidemic team will increase the admission capacity of the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo for COVID-19 patients within a short period of time, strengthening its service scale and quality of care. It is integral to accelerating patient turnover as well as relieving the pressure on public hospitals.

     "The medical team members have set aside their work at hand and left their families temporarily to come to Hong Kong for taking part in the treatment of patients under the severe epidemic situation in the city. I profoundly admire each one of them. They manifest the selfless spirit of helping compatriots faced with difficulties. On behalf of the HKSAR, I express my sincere gratitude to them. I strongly believe that with our nation's staunch support and the concerted effort of various sectors, Hong Kong will be able to stabilise the epidemic early."