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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, at the Opening Ceremony of World Red Cross Day 2001 and Community Health Campaign "Balance Diet and Healthy Eating" today (May 6):

Chairman Yang, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to be invited to the Opening Ceremony of World Red Cross Day 2001 and Community Health Campaign.

First of all, I would like to congratulate the Hong Kong Red Cross which, thanks to the dedication and endeavour of its members, has served the disabled, the sick and the needy over the years by providing a wide range of services. Apart from the well-known blood transfusion service and relief work, the Hong Kong Red Cross spares no effort in the promotion of health education and first-aid training.

The theme of this Community Health Campaign - "Balance Diet and Healthy Eating" - is particularly timely for an increasingly affluent society like Hong Kong. Excessive eating and unbalanced diet of high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar content are common in the local community. But many of us are unaware of the adverse effects such dietary habits may have on our health, despite the ample evidences demonstrating that unhealthy dietary habits have contributed to the continuous rise in the incidence of chronic diseases like coronary heart disease in Hong Kong.

To stay healthy, one must develop healthy dietary habits, exercise regularly, refrain from smoking and excessive alcohol drinking. I am sure today's health programme organised by the Hong Kong Red Cross at 33 venues throughout the territory would enable the participants to gain a better understanding of healthy living and contribute to better health for all.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Hong Kong Red Cross for their hard work in organising today's event. I hope all of us will develop healthy habits and stay healthy.

Thank you.

END/Sunday, May 6, 2001

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