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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The first day of service of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFC) of the Hospital Authority (HA) today (June 13) was smooth and orderly, recording a total attendance of 236 patients with influenza-like-illness symptoms.
The HA Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu, and Chief Executive, Mr Shane Solomon visited the DFCs today to see the clinic operation as well as thanking the frontline staff for their hard work.
"The eight DFCs of HA were put into service today to treat patients with symptoms of influenza-like-illness (ILI), such as fever (body temperature at 38 degree Celsius or above) with either cough, sore throat or both. Symptomatic patients would be given anti-viral treatment," the HA spokesman said.
"The eight DFCs have ceased to provide general outpatient services. Those chronic patients who have been pre-scheduled for follow up at the eight clinics have been reminded to proceed to the corresponding drug refill clinics (see appended list) for refill of medication according to their date of original appointment. They should bring along the appointment slip and Identity Card."
The spokesman added that another two general outpatient clinics, the Central District Health Centre and Tin Shui Wai North General Outpatient Clinic, will also suspend from service today and Monday (June 15) respectively due to manpower deployment. Similar service arrangements have been made for chronic patients on drug refill.
"To help remind the chronic patients, an Announcement of Public Interests on clinic arrangements was started to broadcast in all radio stations from today. Over the past few days, the arrangements of DFCs and drug refill clinics have already been widely publicised through various channels, including announcements in the mass media, posting up of banners and posters at the clinics concerned. Furthermore, the public can also access to the relevant information of DFCs and the drug refill clinics via HA general enquiry hotlines 2882 4866 or 2300 6555, or visit the HA website www.ha.org.hk ."
Ends/Saturday, June 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:33
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