Tag Archives: China

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued the fourth day of his visit to Davos, Switzerland, yesterday (January 18, Davos time) for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting.

     In the morning, Mr Chan attended the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders, where he discussed with political and business leaders on the challenges posed by economic fracture and how to rebuild a more mutually beneficial and inclusive global economy. Later, he met with the founder and executive chairman of the WEF, Professor Klaus Schwab, and briefed him on Hong Kong’s latest economic and social developments.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan participated in two thematic discussion sessions with one of the sessions focusing on community development. Speakers shared their views on how to tackle the “not in my backyard” mentality, building consensus in the community, and promote more inclusive and people-centred development. Mr Chan shared Hong Kong’s experience in urban renewal, public housing development and infrastructure-driven development strategy, and more.

     Another thematic discussion session was on the development opportunities of digital assets. Mr Chan shared Hong Kong’s approach and practices in the development of digital assets, in particular the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework to actively encourage innovation on the premise of ensuring that financial stability will not be affected and investors will be effectively protected, so as to enable the industry to develop in a responsible and sustainable manner. As part of the efforts to promote the development of digital assets, Hong Kong is also consulting the public on the development of stablecoin.

     Mr Chan also met with the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Mr Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai yesterday to exchange views on co-operation.

     In addition, Mr Chan made use of breakfast and afternoon tea meetings to brief international financial institutions and business leaders on Hong Kong’s latest economic and financial developments, and to exchange views on further enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.

     Mr Chan will continue his visit this morning (January 19, Davos time) and leave Switzerland in the evening, arriving in Hong Kong in the evening of Saturday (January 20, Hong Kong time).

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesman for the United Christian Hospital (UCH) announced a sentinel event today (January 18):

     A 55-year-old male patient with myeloma was admitted to a medical ward of the UCH on January 12. The patient’s clinical condition was stable all along.

     Healthcare staff communicated with the patient at around 2.10pm today, at that time, the patient showed no signs of abnormalities. At 2.35pm, when healthcare staff was preparing to take blood pressure with the patient, he was found unconscious with a crossbody bag’s strap tangled around his neck. Healthcare staff removed the strap and performed resuscitation immediately. The hospital also reported the incident to the Police and informed the patient’s family immediately. The patient passed away at 3.35pm this afternoon.

     The UCH is saddened by the incident and expressed deep condolences to the patient’s family. The hospital will provide assistance to the family and will fully co-operate with the Police for investigation.

     The hospital is very concerned about the incident and has reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System. The incident has also been referred to the coroner for follow-up. read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 18) that an aquatic product manufactured in a regulated Japanese prefecture was suspected to be in breach of the re… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) and the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) signed a five-year (2024-2029) collaborative agreement yesterday (January 17) to strengthen exchanges and co-operation between the two parties in the development and management of public hospitals, covering various areas such as hospital management, healthcare services development, healthcare professional development, training of healthcare professionals and management personnel, etc.
 
     The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, and the HA Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, led a delegation to visit the PUMCH for two consecutive days and attended the collaborative agreement signing ceremony and exchange on clinical diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. The two sides signed a five-year letter of intent on strategic co-operation in 2011 to jointly explore innovative models of public hospital management. In order to maintain a close partnership, Dr Ko and the President of the PUMCH, Professor Zhang Shuyang, signed the collaborative agreement for five years yesterday, witnessed by Mr Fan; the Honorary President of the PUMCH, Professor Zhao Yupei; the Secretary of the Party Committee of the PUMCH, Mr Wu Peixin; and the Deputy Director General of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Office of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Ms Li Wei.
 
     Mr Fan said, “The HA signed a letter of intent for co-operation with the PUMCH for the first time in 2011, and conducted exchanges in various aspects over the years. During the HA’s visit to the PUMCH in September last year, we exchanged views on issues of common concern regarding public hospital management and development, and agreed to sign another five-year collaborative agreement between the two sides to lay a solid foundation for future collaborations. The HA proactively ties in with the healthcare policies of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to enhance the collaboration with relevant healthcare and medical institutions on the Mainland, and accelerate the development of public hospitals in order to better integrate itself into the national development.”
 
     Professor Zhang recalled that the two parties have established a profound foundation of collaboration through long-term exchanges and looks forward to joining hands again this time to deepen co-operation. “The PUMCH hopes that in the future both places will leverage their respective strengths, focus on needs, meet and liaise regularly, innovate management models, promote exchanges, carry out research collaboration, focus on talent training, and promote exchanges and co-operation between the two parties in a more pragmatic manner.”
 
     Mr Fan added that the public healthcare services in Hong Kong and Beijing can learn from each other, and are looking forward to mutual learning and further collaboration in hospital management and services development such as in the area of promoting clinical professional development and exchanges, as well as talent nurturing, etc, so as to jointly enhance the quality and standards of healthcare services of the two parties. The HA will continue to maintain close tie with the healthcare institutions on the Mainland for the well-being of patients.
 

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 18) investigating a case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, and hence reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene against intestinal infections.

     The case involves a 7-year-old girl with good past health, who presented with abdominal pain on January 3 and diarrhoea on the following day. She attended Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong on January 5 and was admitted on the same day. She has been in stable condition and was discharged on January 6.

     Her stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries of the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to the Mainland during the incubation period. Her travel collaterals have remained asymptomatic so far. Information from the patient’s family members revealed that she did not consume any high-risk food (such as raw meat and unpasteurised dairy products) during the incubation period. Investigations of the CHP are ongoing.

     “Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as STEC, can produce powerful toxins and cause severe food-borne disease. The most recognised serogroup of STEC is E. coli O157:H7,” a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Preventive measures for STEC infection are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public are advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
 

• Adopt the Five Keys to Food Safety in handling food, i.e. Choose (choose safe raw materials), Clean (keep hands and utensils clean), Separate (separate raw and cooked food), Cook (cook thoroughly) and Safe Temperature (keep food at a safe temperature) to prevent food-borne diseases;
• Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before handling food, after handling raw meat or poultry and before eating, and after going to the toilet or changing diapers;
• Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. When cooking or reheating, the core temperature of the food should reach at least 75 degrees Celsius;
• Avoid consumption of unpasteurised milk or undercooked food; and
• Consult your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of STEC infection, particularly bloody diarrhoea.

 
     The public may visit the CHP’s STEC page for more information. read more