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The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, today (September 13) called on two ministers in charge of policies related to his portfolio in New Zealand during his stay in Wellington.
In the morning, Dr Chow met with New Zealand's Minister for Senior Citizens, Disability Issues, Labour, Accident Compensation Corporation, and Associate Minister of Social Development and Employment (Child, Youth and Family), the Hon Ruth Dyson, to exchange views on social welfare system of the two places and related welfare issues.
He then called on the Minister of Fisheries and Associate Minister of Health, the Hon Jim Anderton, in the afternoon to discuss issues faced by the fisheries industry in both places. On health related issues, topics such as anti-smoking, drugs, alcohol and suicide, were raised in the meeting. Prior to the meeting, Dr Chow visited the Ministry of Fisheries where he was briefed on New Zealand's fisheries policy and the country's efforts to sustain development in fisheries industry.
Between the meetings, Dr Chow visited the Food Safety Authority where he was introduced to the food safety control regime there.
Dr Chow hosted a boardroom lunch for some 20 guests from the medical, health and welfare sectors. He spoke on Hong Kong's health care reform and comprehensive plan of action to deal with the threat posed by avian influenza and influenza pandemic.
On September 16, Dr Chow will depart for Auckland. He will hold bilateral meetings with other World Health Organisation (WHO) members on September 17 and represent Hong Kong to attend the 57th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific on September 18 before concluding his eight-day visit in New Zealand.
Ends/Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:05
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