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Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau health authorities had adopted a comprehensive approach in enhancing co-operation in various medical and health areas, with a view to further protecting public health of the three places, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said today (November 9).
Speaking at the Sixth Joint Meeting of Senior Health Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, Dr Chow said that the meetings held in recent years had further consolidated the tripartite notification system on infectious diseases. The three places had also joined to strengthen the preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks, resulting in great improvement in the effectiveness of health protection efforts.
"On the basis of the memorandum of understanding and agreement on medical and health co-operation, I propose the three places focus on co-operation in the prevention and control of influenza pandemic, and the development of traditional Chinese medicine," he said.
Dr Chow said the three places would jointly conduct a drill next month (December) to enhance the emergency responsiveness and preparedness in the event of human-to-human transmission of avian flu virus. The drill will test the emergency response and notification system among the three places for the management of public health incidents.
The three places will also set up an Expert Group on Prevention and Control of Influenza Pandemic. The group will study how to enhance the responsiveness towards influenza pandemic through further co-operation and co-ordination.
Issues discussed at today's meeting included surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases; tobacco control and implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; health promotion and health education; review and development of health care services and system; and implementation of memorandum of understanding and agreement on health and medical co-operation.
The Mainland and Macau delegations were led by the Minister of Health, Dr Chen Zhu, and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dr Chui Sai-on.
Ends/Friday, November 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:47
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