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The Government today (January 31) announced the setting up of a steering committee to conduct a strategic review on healthcare manpower planning and professional development. The Steering Committee held its first meeting today.
The Steering Committee is chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, and comprises 19 non-official members and five ex-officio members. The appointments will take immediate effect and end upon the completion of the review.
The Steering Committee is tasked to conduct a strategic review of healthcare manpower planning and professional development in Hong Kong. It will put forward recommendations on how to cope with anticipated demand for healthcare manpower, strengthen professional training and facilitate professional development having regard to the findings of the strategic review, with a view to ensuring the healthy and sustainable development of Hong Kong's healthcare system.
Dr Chow said, "As announced in the Chief Executive's 2011 Policy Address, the strategic review is part of a three-pronged action plan to take forward healthcare reform initiatives based on the outcome of the Second Stage Public Consultation on Healthcare Reform.
"The strategic review underlines the Government's commitment to ensuring an adequate supply of healthcare manpower professionals as the healthcare system grows and expands to cater for the community's future healthcare needs."
Non-official members of the Steering Committee comprise personalities from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, including the healthcare, education, social services and business sectors, as well as overseas experts. Ex-officio members include representatives from the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Education Bureau and the Department of Health.
"With their wealth of experience in public service and the healthcare field, I believe that members of the Steering Committee will contribute to the formulation of pertinent and balanced recommendations in the overall public interest.
"I would like to thank all members for accepting the challenge of this important mission. I look forward to working with them for the betterment of our healthcare system," Dr Chow added.
In carrying out its work, the Steering Committee will be underpinned by a Co-ordinating Committee, to be chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), and six consultative sub-groups to be formed thereunder with representation from the healthcare professions as well as the community.
Membership of the Steering Committee is as follows:
Chairman
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow Yat-ngok
Members
Professor Alfred Chan Cheung-ming
Professor Andrew Chan Chi-fai
Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi
Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung
Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung
Professor Fok Tai-fai
Mr Ambrose Ho Pui-him
Mr Andy Lau Kwok-fai
Professor Lee Sum-ping
Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee
Dr Leung Pak-yin
Professor Raymond Liang
Professor Felice Lieh-Mak
Professor Samantha Pang Mei-che
Mr Pang Yiu-kai
Dr Kathleen So Pik-han
Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung
Dr Homer Tso Wei-kwok
Professor Maurice Yap
Ex-officio Members
Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health)
Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare (or representative)
Permanent Secretary for Education (or representative)
Director of Health
Head, Healthcare Planning and Development Office, Food and Health Bureau
Two to three overseas experts from the healthcare/medical sector will be appointed later.
Ends/Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:51
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