SFH to lead 100-member delegation to Guangdong-HK-Macao Bay Area

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, will lead a delegation to Guangzhou, Zhongshan and Shenzhen tomorrow (August 6) to enhance exchanges and co-operation in medical and healthcare field in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (Bay Area) with a view to proactively tapping the opportunities in the region.

     Jointly organised by the Food and Health Bureau and the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, the visit will focus on the "development of private hospitals and medical institutions in the Bay Area" and the "healthcare manpower training in the Bay Area". Apart from visiting local hospitals and medical institutions, the delegation will also attend a seminar in Guangzhou where they will exchange views with healthcare representatives in the Bay Area.

     Professor Chan said, "The exchanges and co-operation in the medical and healthcare field are increasingly closer among the cities in the Bay Area. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government fully supports private hospitals and private healthcare sectors in Hong Kong to develop in the Bay Area, and will assist in the sustainable healthcare manpower training in the Bay Area, in a bid to promoting healthcare development in the region.

     "This delegation comprises about 100 members including representatives from private hospitals, private healthcare facilities, healthcare professional associations, medical training institutions and healthcare professionals. I believe that the visit will help delegates build up a communication platform in the Bay Area and lay a solid foundation for future development."

     Officials accompanying Professor Chan during the visit include the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Leung Pak-yin.

     Professor Chan will return to Hong Kong on August 8. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, will be the Acting Secretary for Food and Health.