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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 13) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Shek O Beach. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, enlightened participants of the annual Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand today (October 13, Auckland time) about the progress of Hong Kong's efforts in reforming the primary healthcare system. During her stay in Auckland, she also visited several primary healthcare organisations to learn from their experiences on providing primary healthcare services through collaboration of government and non-profit organisations.
Dr Lee visited Auckland mainly to attend the annual conference organised by the RACMA from October 11 to 13 with the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau, and Assistant Commissioner for Primary Healthcare Dr Tony Ha. At a conference session today, Dr Lee gave a presentation on the primary healthcare service reform led by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. She introduced the various measures rolled out since the release of the Primary Healthcare Blueprint last December, including the establishment of a primary healthcare system at the district level, promotion of the family doctor concept and the mindset of early management of health and chronic diseases among citizens, as well as the enhancement to the Electronic Health Record Sharing System.
Joined by the two commissioners, Dr Lee also visited in Auckland a Primary Health Organisation (PHO) and two general practice clinics to gain a better understanding of their approach of engaging non-profit organisations and private healthcare organisations in co-ordinating or providing primary healthcare services under government subsidy. They met with representatives from the Health New Zealand (Health NZ), the Auckland PHO, the East Health Trust PHO and ProCare, which is a leading healthcare provider, to have in-depth exchanges. In addition, the party toured teaching clinics of the University of Auckland to explore New Zealand's work in nurturing primary healthcare talent.
Dr Lee stated that the New Zealand Government set up the Health NZ last year. One of the functions of the Health NZ is to consolidate primary and community care with PHOs under its purview. PHOs in various districts of New Zealand are funded by the government to bring together general practitioners, nurses and other healthcare professionals in the community to ensure a seamless continuum of care and, in particular, better management of chronic conditions. This model is akin to the mode of operation of the Primary Healthcare Commission in planning and the upcoming Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme in Hong Kong. The visits provided a chance for a comprehensive understanding of New Zealand's experiences which are valuable to Hong Kong in accomplishing the city's primary healthcare development in a refined manner.
Upon the end of the conference today, Dr Lee and the two commissioners will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (October 14).
The Government gazetted today (October 13) the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 3) Order 2023 (the Amendment Order), to amend Schedules 1 and 3 to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) to reflect the latest control list of endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that CITES is implemented in Hong Kong through the Ordinance and hence the Ordinance is updated from time to time in light of the latest requirements of CITES. The Amendment Order aims to give effect to the latest regulations of CITES on the controlled species.
The Amendment Order mainly reflects the addition, removal and other changes of species listed in the Appendices to CITES, and involves a number of species of freshwater turtles, river stingrays, sharks, sea cucumbers, wood, etc. On the other hand, some existing controls, pursuant to the amendments, will be relaxed to facilitate the corresponding trade. For example, the latest amendments will relax the control on some Orchidaceae species in relation to retail trade of relevant cosmetic products. Major amendments are set out in the Annex.
Under the Ordinance, except with exemptions or otherwise specified, the import, export, re-export, introduction from the sea or possession of the controlled species, including their parts and derivatives, are subject to licensing control. The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 18 for negative vetting, and the new control measures will come into effect on December 15. A Licence to Possess must be obtained within the three-month grace period (i.e. on or before March 14, 2024) for the possession of specimens of Appendix I species or live specimens of wild origin of Appendix II species for commercial purposes. Local trading of the listed species, which were already imported legally before the implementation of the new amendments, can continue under licensing control. The AFCD will introduce to relevant traders and stakeholders the details of the amendments to the Ordinance through circular letters and briefing sessions.
The spokesman said, "More endangered species will be included on the control list after the amendments to the Ordinance come into effect. This will help enhance protection of more endangered species and enable Hong Kong to make a contribution to nature conservation at an international level."
The spokesman reminded the public that it is illegal for any person to import, export or possess any endangered species without a required licence. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a $10 million fine and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction. The specimens will also be forfeited. For licensing requirements for the species listed on different appendices, please visit the website: www.cites.hk. For enquiries, please contact the AFCD through email (hk_cites@afcd.gov.hk) or call 1823.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 13) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5 and H7N6 avian influenza in Mpofana Local Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal Province and Tswaing Local Municipality of North West Province in South Africa respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with South Africa for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat was imported into Hong Kong from South Africa in the first six months of this year.
​"The CFS has contacted the South African authority over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) under the University Grants Committee (UGC) today (October 13) published the report on the quality audit of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) in the third audit cycle.
The quality audit on HKBU is the first audit under the third audit cycle, which places an emphasis on how individual universities review and enhance their framework on academic standards and academic quality, academic programme development, teaching and learning, student learning assessment and support for students, as well as the collection, analysis and usage of data to inform such quality assurance processes. The audit was conducted between March 6 and 17, 2023. The audit report presents the findings of the audit panel appointed by the QAC based on the self-evaluation report prepared by HKBU and a series of audit meetings with staff, students and external stakeholders (such as employers) of HKBU.
The report identified a number of features of good practice and recommended actions with a view to encouraging HKBU and the higher education sector as a whole to strive for continuous enhancement to their quality assurance regimes. The full audit report with the formal response from HKBU is available on the QAC website (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/qac/about/term/publications/report.html) for public access.
The QAC quality audits ascertain whether the arrangements for quality assurance adopted by universities are fit for purpose and comparable with international best practices. The QAC third audit cycle covers all programmes at the levels of sub-degree, first degree and above, however funded, leading to a qualification wholly or partly awarded by the UGC-funded universities.
The QAC expressed gratitude to HKBU and all stakeholders for their support to the quality audit.