Latest arrangements for Department of Health public services

     In line with the latest adjustments to public services in response to the latest situation of COVID-19 announced by the Government, the Department of Health (DH) reminded members of the public today (July 21) that some non-urgent services under the DH have been adjusted or suspended. The affected services include:
 

• Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs)
• Child Assessment Service (CAS)
• Student Health Service Centres
• Woman Health Centres
• Elderly Health Centres
• Chest Clinics of Tuberculosis and Chest Service
• Social Hygiene Clinics
• Telephone and online bookings for HIV testing of AIDS Counselling and Testing Service

 
     Please visit the respective websites or contact the relevant clinics and service units direct for details of the service adjustments. These websites can also be accessed via the DH website (www.dh.gov.hk).
 
     Meanwhile, all dental clinics, including government dental clinics, school dental clinics and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Clinics (OMS&DCs), will provide dental services limited to dental emergencies and pain relief. Among the above, the OMS&DCs will continue to serve hospital inpatients and provide essential oral and maxillofacial surgery support to hospitals. Families Clinics and the Education and Training Centre in Family Medicine will remain open, though non-urgent services such as health talks will be adjusted or suspended.
 
     While the DH continues to receive and handle applications related to the regulation of private healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical products and Chinese medicines, the relevant services have also been adjusted owing to the latest developments and the processing time of these applications may be lengthened. The public and relevant traders may visit the respective websites for details (Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities: www.orphf.gov.hk; Drug Office: www.drugoffice.gov.hk; Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office: www.cmro.gov.hk).
 
     In addition, in order to enhance infection control measures including minimising flows of people and social contacts, the DH has advised that family members and friends should avoid accompanying clients to visit the MCHCs/CAS or other clinics/facilities unless there are special reasons to do so. The DH also advised that:
 

• No more than two parents may accompany a baby aged six months old or below to the MCHCs/CAS; and 
• No more than one parent/relative/friend may accompany the service user to clinics/facilities.