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FS' speech at medical symposium (English only)(with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech delivered by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the Opening Ceremony of the 6th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Diseases & 10th Hong Kong Diabetes & Cardiovascular Risk Factors - East Meets West Symposium at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition this (September 25) evening:

Professor [Brian] Tomlinson, Professor Suphachai [Chaithiraphan], Professor Fok [Tai Fai], Juliana [Chan], Ladies and Gentlemen,

     Good evening.

     It is my great pleasure to join you this evening.  I am delighted to be in the company of so many leading experts in cardiovascular diseases.  This is one occasion that no one should worry too much about having a heart attack. You will be in plenty of good hands.  So, a warm welcome to all of you, especially those of you who have travelled many miles to be here.

     Hong Kong is a good location for this East Meets West Symposium.  In Hong Kong, our daily lives are influenced by a range of factors covering the full spectrum from the East to the West, and everything in between, and that applies to our diet, our culture and our leisure activities.  Both Chinese medicine and Western medicine, as well as some other alternative medicines are widely practised here.  This vibrant mix of East and West is one reason we like to call Hong Kong, Asia's world city.

     I am sure you will all feel very much at home here, whichever part of the world you come from.

     In the next three days, distinguished speakers from all corners of the globe will share their knowledge and experience in their specialist areas under the theme: "Combating Cardiovascular Diseases through Collaborative Care".

     I am confident that, through collaboration, we will all be better placed to rise to the challenges posed by cardiovascular diseases, which make up the number two killer in Hong Kong behind cancer.

     I commend our medical and health practitioners for their work, and for their efforts to help develop world-class facilities to ensure the best possible care for sufferers of cardiovascular diseases.  Patients are managed by multi-disciplinary teams of experts, including cardiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, cardio-thoracic surgeons and nursing specialists in public and private hospitals as well as clinics.

     In addition, we offer high quality rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, which are essential in minimising patients' residual disabilities and improving their quality of life.  

     It is often said that prevention is better than cure.  For cardiovascular diseases, many of the risk factors are modifiable.  Issues such as smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and obesity should all be addressed before it is too late.

     Here, governments - including the Hong Kong Government - have an important role to play in changing attitudes and promoting a healthy life style.

     Hong Kong is typical of many dynamic Asian cities where people tend to work long hours, and a 12-hour working day is considered normal by many leaving little time for physical exercise, compared to our counterparts in the western world.

     A study by our Department of Health revealed that more than 18 per cent of the people here are considered "physically inactive".  At the same time, about 80 per cent of us consume less than the recommended quantities of fruits and vegetables.  Taken together with an ageing population, cardiovascular diseases pose a serious concern for policy makers in Hong Kong and around the region.  

     How can we encourage people to cut out, or at least cut down, their unhealthy habits?

     Our priority is to create a supportive environment that is conducive to healthy living.

     We have a wonderful opportunity to build on Beijing's successful hosting of the 2008 Olympics, which has raised the profile of sport in our city and our nation.  Hong Kong was the co-host city staging the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.  Hong Kongers showed great enthusiasm for the Beijing Games and the Olympic spirit remains strong.

     The Government will take this chance to develop a greater sporting culture in Hong Kong, and encourage more people to pursue healthy leisure activities.

     Effective community involvement requires collaboration among different sectors of society to provide appropriate legislation, services and promotional activities.

     In October 2006, our Legislature passed an amendment to the Smoking Bill to expand the statutory no smoking areas to all indoor workplaces and public places, indoor areas of all restaurants, karaoke establishments, and indoor areas of institutions.

     Other anti-smoking measures include taxation and a crackdown on cigarette smuggling as well as smoking cessation services.

     Our Department of Health also conducts regular surveys to monitor the trend of the cardiovascular risk factors in the community.  Customised health messages are then disseminated to the target population.  

     In recent years, we have launched large-scale campaigns to promote the benefits of physical exercise and healthy eating in schools and restaurants, and encourage parents to make healthier choices for their kids.  Such programmes have been well received by the public and have raised awareness of the importance of exercising and healthy eating.

     I hope you will get a chance to visit some of our EatSmart Restaurants here, and see for yourselves the programme at work, as well as make some healthy and delicious meal choices.

     Ladies and Gentlemen, I have covered a few of the things that the Government is doing to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the community.  I look forward to hearing the initiatives from this Symposium so that we can continue to improve the effectiveness of our work in this area.

     I wish this Symposium every success, and hope that our friends from around the world have a most enjoyable and rewarding stay here in Hong Kong.  While you have a packed conference schedule, I encourage you to take some time out to experience our city's eclectic mix of East and West, and see for yourselves why Hong Kong is Asia's world city.

     Thank you and shop a lot.

Ends/Thursday, September 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:32

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