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The Government today (June 15) granted $25 million to the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) for carrying out a portfolio of clinical trial and public health research in emerging infectious diseases.
The Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases (RFCID) had so far committed a total of $135 million (see below for breakdown) for various research studies in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
The $25 million grant to CUHK will support a portfolio of research spanning five years that is expected to produce results from a minimum of 30 research projects.
Speaking at a contract signing ceremony for the commissioned projects, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, reiterated the Government's commitment to promote research on infectious diseases to strengthen the research base in policy making, and in developing and implementing measures to prevent and combat infectious diseases.
He said: "The CUHK is internationally recognised for its leadership in synthesising knowledge during the initial phase of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak using bedside observations, clinical algorithms and pragmatic trial approaches; its outstanding research in hepatitis and related diseases; and the solid track record and international profile of many of its investigators."
Dr Yeoh also praised the university for establishing a new Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, which would contribute to the control of emerging infectious diseases locally and globally.
"The funding to the CUHK will further consolidate their initiatives through a focused research programme involving clinical trials and public health research in emerging infectious diseases," he said.
The contract for the commissioned projects was signed by Dr Yeoh and the Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, Professor Ambrose King Yeo-chi. Witnessing the signing ceremony were the Head of Research Office of the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB), Dr Lo Su-vui, and the Dean of Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, Professor Sydney Chung Sheung-chee and Associate Dean (Education) of Faculty of Medicine, Professor Tony Chung Kwok-hung.
CUHK's research team including Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming and Professor Suzanne Sut-ying Chan Ho gave a presentation of their research plans during the ceremony.
This is the second batch of research projects commissioned by the HWFB under the RFCID. Earlier, the HWFB also commissioned a portfolio of research projects to the University of Hong Kong for a total of $22 million and granted $8 million to facilitate its completion of a biosafety level 3 laboratory.
The $500 million RFCID was set up last July to encourage, facilitate and support research on the prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases in Hong Kong, in particular emerging infectious diseases such as SARS.
It supports research projects commissioned by the HWFB and those initiated by individual investigators. Following is a breakdown of the funds committed:
* $50 million to support research projects on infectious disease in the Mainland through the Ministry of Science and Technology;
* $22 million for commissioned projects to the University of Hong Kong on basic laboratory, epidemiological and public health research in emerging infectious diseases; and $8 million for facilitating the completion of its biosafety level 3 laboratory;
* $25 million for commissioned projects to the Chinese University of Hong Kong on clinical trial and public health research in emerging infectious diseases;
* $12 million for commissioned projects to a consortium comprising the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hospital Authority on nosocomial infection and long term follow-up of SARS patients research studies; and,
* $18.7 million for a total of 25 investigator-initiated projects covering aetiology, epidemiology and public health, basic research, clinical and health services.
Ends/Tuesday, June 15, 2004
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