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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, at the 25th Anniversary of the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff today (August 24):

Chairman Lee, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff.

Nurses are an integral part of our health care system, playing a pivotal role in the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health. Into the new millennium, the mission of our health care system is to provide life-long holistic care, promote health, enhance quality of life and enable human development. The role of nurses in the delivery of primary, secondary and tertiary care is evolving and expanding as the mode of delivery of health care services undergoes major transformation. We need to develop a committed workforce of nurses who are capable of analytical thinking, and are ready to deliver high quality service based on updated professional knowledge and skills. Continuous learning and constant improvement will be essential to sustain professional excellence in providing quality service to the public. In this connection, I am glad to see the staunch support of the Association in promoting professionalism of its Members through self-empowerment and personal development.

I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the dedication of our nurses in the caring of patients and especially their commitment to the vulnerable groups, namely the sick, the chronically ill, the disabled and handicapped. On behalf of the patients, their families and their community, I would like to thank you all for your sterling service.

Thank you.

End/Saturday, August 24, 2002

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