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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Health and Welfare,Dr E K Yeoh, at the Annual General Meeting of the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association today (June 14):

Mr Chairman, Members of the Board of Directors,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am most delighted to be here today to preside at this Annual General Meeting of the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association.

Since its establishment more than half a century ago, the Association has spared no effort in providing much needed quality care to patients of tuberculosis, chest and heart diseases in Hong Kong. I am pleased to note that the Association continued its good work in the first year of the new millennium.

In 2000, the Association has organized a variety of activities in promoting public awareness and prevention of tuberculosis and related diseases. The most noteworthy was a Video Conference on Environment held in December 2000. Thanks to modern information technology, over 1,200 secondary school students stationed in four different locations in Hong Kong took part in the Conference to understand more about air pollution and its adverse effects on health. Indeed, health exhibitions organised by the Association during the year had altogether attracted more than 7,000 participants.

Following the success of the Third Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangdong and Taiwan Workshop on Tuberculosis Control, the Association is making preparation for holding, in October this year, the 6th Asian Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health. This prestigious conference will bring together over 300 leading experts to formulate a regional strategy on tobacco control, which could assist us in our battle against smoking, the major cause of lung and heart diseases.

The fight against tuberculosis and related diseases is a long drawn process that requires concerted efforts from the individual, the local and the international communities. I am sure the Association will continue to play a leading role in this important area and I wish the Association another successful year in its endeavours.

Thank you.

End/Wednesday, June 14, 2001

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