************************************

Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan, Chairman of the Advisory Council on AIDS Dr Homer Tso Wei-kwok, and two members of the advisory council, today (March 19) visited the Sham Shui Po Methadone Clinic to review the daily operations of a methadone clinic in Hong Kong.

Dr Mak Ying-wai, Senior Medical and Health Officer of the Department of Health briefed the party as it toured the facility. It was noted that a pilot Universal HIV Antibody (Urine) Testing Methadone Clinics Programme had been launched in the Sham Shui Po, Homantin and Aberdeen Methadone Clinics from July to September 2003 as part of the AIDS prevention efforts.

During that period, a total of 2,456 attendees at these three clinics were offered urine testing for HIV antibodies and 1,834 or 75% performed the test. Nine cases were found positive and referred for appropriate follow-up consultations.

With satisfactory results, the programme has been extended to other methadone clinics since January this year. Clinics joining the programme from January to March are Eastern Street, Cheung Chau, Hung Hom, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin and Violet Peel Methadone Clinics.

Ends/Friday, March 19, 2004

NNNN