*************
Following is a speech by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, at the inauaguration ceremony of the Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building at Hong Kong Baptist University today (March 8):
Professor C F Ng, Professor She, Mr Alan Li, Mr Moses Cheng, Dr Daniel Tse, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is indeed my great pleasure to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building of the Hong Kong Baptist University, which marks an important milestone in the development of the University.
The Hong Kong Baptist University is a pioneer in the provision of formal education in Chinese medicine at tertiary level, offering Hong Kong's first full-time undergraduate programme in Chinese medicine since 1998-99. Moreover, the University has also introduced a new undergraduate pharmacy programme in Chinese medicine starting from this academic year.
The University's efforts would certainly support the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. Chinese medicine has been widely used in the community and has made significant contribution to the prevention of disease, health maintenance and treatment of illnesses. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a centre for Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine practice. With the enactment of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance in 1999, we have established a comprehensive supportive legislative framework for the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. Following the promulgation of the names of listed Chinese medicine practitioners last December, we expect to announce the first batch of registered Chinese medicine practitioners later this year. In the long run, only graduates of recognised Chinese medicine degree courses are eligible to take the Licensing Examination leading to registration.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong is finalising the regulatory framework for Chinese medicine traders and registration of proprietary Chinese medicines. We are also developing regulatory standards for commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs based on scientific principles and evidence to ensure the quality and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs. All these measures will improve the standard of Chinese medicine practice, enhance the public's confidence in Chinese medicine and promote the acceptance of Chinese medicinal products in the local and international communities. In phases, we shall introduce Chinese medicine services into the public health care system.
The opening of the new Jockey Club School of Medicine Building comes at a most opportune time. This purpose-designed building for teaching and research of Chinese medicine will provide an excellent training ground for Chinese medicine practitioners and pharmacists. Supported by the broad range of state-of-the-art equipment and rich expertise, I am sure that the School of Medicine will yield significant and useful research results in Chinese medicine for the benefit of the community in the years to come.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous donation towards the construction of this magnificent building. I would also like to congratulate all members of the School of Chinese Medicine for their unfailing efforts and contributions to education and research in Chinese medicine. The opening of the new Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building, I am sure, will further facilitate their efforts and services to the community in the new millennium.
Thank you.
End/Friday, March 8, 2002
NNNN
