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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function this afternoon (October 7):
Secretary for Food and Health: We are very concerned (over the incident), and I am actually shocked to learn about the fact that there are four patients who suffered severe illness after receiving their own blood product, which had been processed in the laboratory. The Department of Health and the Police are currently conducting a very serious investigation into the matter. Preliminary investigation shows that the blood of one of the patients in the hospitals grew a bacteria called Mycobacterium abscessus. This is helpful although it remains to be confirmed by the Department of Health. It is helpful for the clinical experts to help, trying their best to save these patients. Further investigation would focus on where and how these blood products were being contaminated, and also, the possible relationship between the beauty parlour, the medical practitioner and the laboratory. I would not rule out the possibility of the requirement for further legislation or amendments to existing legislation to protect our citizens from risky medical procedures.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, October 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:08
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