Police today (July 9) appealed to the public for information on a girl who went missing in Tin Shui Wai.

     Lam Yan-ting, aged 16, went missing after she left her residence in Hung Fuk Estate on June 23 night. Her family made a report to Police on July 4.

     She is about 1.65 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and long black straight hair. She was last seen wearing a black and white short-sleeved T-shirt, blue jeans and white sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing girl or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3112 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 9) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, began the visit programme in Sichuan today (July 8), visiting the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to deliberate on and understand the overall arrival arrangements of the pair of giant pandas gifted to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the Central Government, and meeting with leaders of Sichuan Province.

     In the morning, Mr Lee, accompanied by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, toured the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to visit giant pandas, including the pair of giant pandas to be gifted to Hong Kong, and understand details of the arrival arrangements of the giant pandas. The officers of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the centre gave a thorough briefing to the delegation on the work in rearing, caring and conserving giant pandas, as well as the latest development on giant panda research. The delegation will bring back the precious experience to Hong Kong to further enhance the conservation of giant pandas in Hong Kong.

     Mr Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the Central Government for gifting another pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, which fully demonstrates its care and support for the city. He also expressed his thanks to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the Sichuan Province for the arrangements and assistance they rendered on the matter. Noting that Hong Kong people are looking forward to the arrival of the giant pandas, Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will endeavour to make good preparations to welcome the giant pandas.

     In the afternoon, Mr Lee and the delegation visited the Sichuan HKJC Olympic School and exchanged with the students. Mr Lee said he was delighted to see that the school has now become a key training base of competitive sports in Sichuan and a significant platform for youth exchanges between Sichuan and Hong Kong.

     The two facilities were reconstruction projects participated by the HKSAR after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Mr Lee noted that the HKSAR Government and various sectors actively participated in the rescue work and post-earthquake reconstruction of the Wenchuan earthquake, fully demonstrating the spirit of "when trouble occurs at one spot, help comes from all quarters" and compatriotism. He was pleased to see the successful development of the facilities, which have become important bridges for fostering people-to-people bonds between the two places.

     In the evening, Mr Lee met with the Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Xiaohui, and attended a dinner hosted by the Sichuan Province. Noting that Hong Kong has been the largest source of foreign direct investment in Sichuan for many years, Mr Lee said the relationship between Sichuan and Hong Kong has always been close. The Hong Kong/Sichuan Co-operation Conference mechanism has seen steady development since its establishment in 2018. With the opening of the high-speed railway directly connecting Chengdu and Hong Kong in July last year, the distance between Sichuan and Hong Kong has been further shortened, he added. Mr Lee said he hopes that Sichuan and Hong Kong will continue to strengthen co-operation and he welcomes Sichuan citizens to visit the giant pandas and travel to Hong Kong in the future, sharing laughter and joy together.

     Mr Lee will continue his visit programme in Sichuan tomorrow (July 9) and return to Hong Kong in the evening.

                      

     In response to media enquiries on the interest of tertiary institutions to offer medical programmes, a spokesman for the Health Bureau (HHB) gave the following response today (July 8):

     The HHB is aware that a number of local tertiary institutions have publicly indicated their interest in offering medical programmes. The HHB keeps an open mind towards any initiatives conducive to nurturing local medical students and increasing healthcare manpower supply. In terms of healthcare manpower training, it is essential that any new medical programme must secure sufficient manpower and facilities for teaching and training to ensure teaching quality, and must contribute to increasing the supply of local doctors for meeting the rising demand for healthcare services in Hong Kong.

     The Government will consider medical programme proposals from any tertiary institutions in accordance with the established mechanisms for local tertiary institutions to offer programmes. In reviewing medical programme proposals, the HHB will take into account factors such as the development needs of the healthcare system, the local healthcare manpower projection, the demand and supply of teaching and training manpower, and the relevant teaching and training facilities including teaching hospitals. The HHB will also discuss with relevant bureaux on ancillaries such as the development of tertiary institutions, financial resources required, and land supply for university campuses before making further consideration. The introduction of medical programmes and provision of training facilities involve enormous public money. The programmes have to be accredited and recognised by the Medical Council of Hong Kong so that the graduates can possess the qualifications to become registered local medical practitioners.   

     Since the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) expressed its interest in introducing medical programmes last year, the HHB and the HKUST have all along maintained communication. The HHB has so far received from the HKUST a few pages on the initial ideas and slideshows introducing the initial ideas. The HHB has learned from the HKUST that the plan is still in its planning stage, while detailed proposals are still being formulated. At present, the HKUST has yet to formally submit detailed proposals of the relevant plan to the Government. It is too early to comment on the relevant plan at the current stage.