The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (January 12) proposed the reorganisation of the Government structure, including the revamp of the Food and Health Bureau as the Health Bureau to focus on medical and health policies. The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, welcomed the proposal and believes that it will significantly support the sustainable development of the public healthcare system.
Mr Fan remarked that amid an ageing population, the burden of the public healthcare system is getting heavier. He hoped that the upcoming Health Bureau will focus more on the formulation and implementation of medical and health policies.
"An ageing population and the experience of the COVID-19 epidemic let us understand the importance of the sustainable development of the public healthcare system. We have to strengthen our capacity to tackle various kinds of illnesses and infectious diseases to implement the two 10-year Hospital Development Plans and to resolve the problem of the healthcare manpower shortage. I believe that the Health Bureau can better steer the implementation of all these important measures."
Moreover, the HA concurred there is the need to either expand or construct three public hospitals in the Northern Metropolis, including the expansion of North District Hospital and establishment of Hung Shui Kiu Hospital and Kwu Tung North Hospital. Apart from the implementation of the two 10-year Hospital Development Plans, Mr Fan believes that the Health Bureau will also press ahead with the construction of other major healthcare facilities in the Metropolis to accommodate the healthcare needs of the new development area.
Mr Fan believes that the Health Bureau can focus more on public healthcare policies and support the sustainable development of the public healthcare system, apart from facilitating the development of medical technology, research and development of drugs and primary healthcare.
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