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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks made by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, on a medical rescue team going to countries affected by tsunamis after attending a public function today (December 28):

Reporter: Would you deploy medical staff to Thailand to assist the Hong Kong residents there?

Dr Chow: At the moment, we feel the number of injured Hong Kong people in those countries (affected by tsunamis) are limited and also their conditions are rather stable. There is no need for us to send any medical rescue team over there. At the same time, the immigration officers are already there to help them to ensure they can come back to Hong Kong as soon as possible. I think our role now is to make sure when they come back to Hong Kong, we properly care for them, starting from the airport.

Reporter: Is there a stand-by team?

Dr Chow: We have a stand-by team since two days ago, with at least three doctors and three nurses. So, depending on the need, we would be able to send them anywhere if we really need to. But at the moment, it seems that there is no real indication for them to be mobilised yet.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)

Ends/Tuesday, December 28, 2004

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