â€‹Correctional officers at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre today (December 18) intercepted a male remand person in custody smuggling suspected dangerous drugs into the centre by concealing them inside his body.

     The 49-year-old remand person in custody was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug on December 16. After undergoing X-ray body scanning, he was suspected to have swallowed dangerous drugs before admission. He was therefore separated and put under close monitoring.

     At 10.10am today, he discharged six pellets of suspected dangerous drugs wrapped in plastic sheet. The case has been reported to the Police for follow-up.

     A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department takes every measure to stop the introduction of dangerous drugs or unauthorised articles into correctional institutions in order to maintain good order and discipline, and a drug-free environment for all persons in custody."

     â€‹The Fire Services Department (FSD) announced today (December 18) that the FSD Building Improvement Support Centre (BISC) was established to provide one-stop support in complying with requirements of the legislation on enhancing fire safety of old buildings. 

     The BISC will assist owners and occupiers of old buildings (including specified commercial buildings, composite buildings, domestic buildings, and industrial buildings) constructed on or before March 1, 1987, or with the plans of the building works first submitted to the Building Authority for approval on or before that day and prescribed commercial premises in complying with the requirements under the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (Cap. 502), the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap. 572), and the Fire Safety (Industrial Buildings) Ordinance (Cap. 636) by offering them one-stop support services to facilitate the completion of fire safety improvement works. 

     The service targets of the BISC are owners and occupiers of buildings regulated under the above-mentioned Ordinances. Those encountering difficulties in complying with the legislative requirements can seek assistance by calling the BISC hotline or visiting the Centre in person. The BISC provides a range of services, including the explanation of the Ordinances’ requirements, providing updates on existing government support services, and co-ordination of matters relating to building plan approval procedures and acceptance test arrangements. 

     The BISC will also assist owners in applying for various government subsidies as well as services under the Smart Tender scheme, and refer cases to relevant departments or organisations for follow-up actions when necessary. The Centre will provide all-round and appropriate support services at every stage, starting from the receipt of directions under relevant legislations by owners and occupiers, until the works are completed and the legislative requirements are met. 

     The public in need can visit the BISC (3/F, Fire Services Department Mong Kok Office Building, 42 Tai Kok Tsui Road, Kowloon) in person, or call its hotline on 2272 9112 from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday (except public holidays). 

    

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, December 18, 2023 is 104.1 (same as last Saturday's index).

     â€‹The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, December 16, 2023 was 104.1 (up 0.3 against last Friday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 18) extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Li Ka-shing for his generous donation of $6 million, which will support the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments of 17 public hospitals. This funding will facilitate the analysis of brain computed tomography (CT brain) scan images, benefitting an estimated total of over 570 000 patient services in the next three years.
 
     The ageing population has resulted in an increasing number of patients with chronic diseases, leading to a growing demand for public healthcare services. This has posed daunting challenges to the HA. To ensure the sustainability of public healthcare services, the HA has proactively embraced AI technology to enhance service efficiency, patient safety, and service quality. The Li Ka Shing Foundation's generous donation will enable the introduction of AI technology into the A&E Departments of public hospitals, facilitating more efficient and accurate analysis of CT brain scan images to identify life-threatening conditions such as brain injuries and intracranial haemorrhage. This technology allows real-time analysis and detection of bleeding in brain, thereby improving accuracy and expediting the treatment process in critical situations.
 
     The Chairman of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Mr Li, stated, "I have long been an advocate of leveraging technology to enhance healthcare services. The use of a comprehensive deep learning system can support radiologists and healthcare professionals with diagnostic accuracy, triage and flexibility to better serve our community. We are privileged to be part of the HA's small steps of giant leaps into the future."
 
     The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, said, "The HA expresses sincere gratitude to Mr Li Ka-shing for his generous donation, which supports the HA in developing 'smart hospital' that provides 'smart healthcare' to citizens. The AI technology will enhance the accuracy and efficiency in diagnosing acute brain problems, ultimately improving medical effectiveness and ensuring the sustainable development of healthcare services."
 
     The application of AI technology in healthcare not only assists healthcare teams in promptly identifying changes in patients' conditions, making appropriate clinical judgments and expediting the implementation of treatment plans, but also helps streamline clinical workflow processes. Currently, the HA has adopted AI technology in the A&E Departments and General Outpatient Clinics to facilitate the analysis of chest and hip joint X-ray images, reducing the time required for reviewing abnormal X-ray images. In the future, the HA will continue introducing suitable AI technologies to assist in image analysis and enhance diagnostic efficiency.
 
     The HA again expresses appreciation to the Li Ka Shing Foundation for the generous donation, which benefits patients and significantly alleviates the pressure faced by the A&E Departments of public hospitals.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department today (December 18) announced that the Hong Kong Central Library and most public libraries, as well as all students' study rooms, will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year's Eve (December 31). Public libraries at Butterfly Estate, Lek Yuen, Sha Tau Kok, Shek Wai Kok, Tai O, Tin Shui Wai North, Mui Wo, North Lamma and Peng Chau will close at 1pm as usual. The South Lamma Public Library and all mobile libraries will be closed on the two days as they are normally closed on Sundays.
 
     On Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1, 2024), all Hong Kong public libraries, mobile libraries and students' study rooms will be closed.
 
     Moreover, system maintenance work will be carried out from 0.30am on December 25 to 11.59pm on December 26, and from 0.30am to 11.59pm on January 1, 2024, during which the following services will be suspended:
* library mobile app services and Internet and telephone renewal services;
* other online library services, including the library catalogue, borrowers' record enquiries, reservation of library materials and Internet and Digital Service Workstations and electronic resources (e-books and e-databases); and
* self-service library stations (readers may still return books to the stations before the due date, and the loan record will be updated on the next working day).
 
     Details can be obtained from notices posted at all public libraries and the library website at www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/library-notices/library-notices-list.html. For enquiries, please call 2921 0208.