************************************************
The Central People's Government has, on the nomination of the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, approved the appointment of Dr York Chow as the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food.
Announcing the appointment, Mr Tung said, "the work of the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, including medical services, social welfare and food hygiene, has a close bearing on the daily lives of Hong Kong people. Our first priority must be to prevent and fight against further outbreaks of communicable diseases," Mr Tung said.
"The recent outbreak of such diseases in several countries in the Southeast Asian region reminds us of the importance of the duties of the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food."
"Dr Chow is a professional in the medical field. He has wide knowledge and experience in policy formulation and management. He has also participated in the social welfare services. I have great confidence that he will be able to meet the new challenges ahead and carry out his work successfully."
Mr Tung said he hoped that all sectors of the community would give their full support to Dr Chow in building a caring and healthy society for the people of Hong Kong.
Following are some biographical notes on Dr Chow:
Dr York Chow
-----------------
Aged 57. Dr Chow is an orthopaedic surgeon by profession. He was appointed Hospital Chief Executive of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 1992. In 2001, he was appointed Hospital Chief Executive of Queen Mary Hospital, and subsequently as Cluster Chief Executive of the Hong Kong West Cluster in 2002.
Professionally, he served as President of the Hong Kong Orthopaedic Association, Vice-President of the College of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and was elected Council Member of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. He is currently an Honourable Professor in Rehabilitation Science at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and an Honourable Professor of the Medical Faculty of the University of Hong Kong.
Dr Chow participates actively in voluntary and community work. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Development Board and the Sports Institute, and as a member of the Rehabilitation Task Force.
He has been Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled since 1986 and has been elected as Vice-President of the International Paralympic Committee since 1997. He is also a Council Member of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
He is married with two daughters.
Ends/Friday, October 8, 2004
NNNN
Real Media (Floor
/
Cantonese / Putonghua
/
English)
Windows Media (Floor
/
Cantonese / Putonghua
/
English )
