***************************************
Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function today (August 4):
Reporter: (On vaccine against Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci)
Secretary for Food and Health: I am very concerned about the issue of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE). In a hospital setting, if we cannot put in place a very stringent infection control, there will be chances for the spread of this antibiotic resistant bacterium, which is a threat to some patients who have a low immune response mechanism. I have met representatives from the Hospital Authority earlier this week and learnt about their proposed actions to tackle the problem. I have also appealed to all senior management in the public hospitals to take the matter very seriously. Even for those hospitals or clusters which might not have been affected by the VRE for the time being, I have also urged them to take stringent infection control measures to contain this particular matter.
Reporter: (On preventive measures against VRE)
Secretary for Food and Health: It is a very basic issue of complying with the hand hygiene measures. In all hospitals, there should be a bottle of alcohol rub for all healthcare workers as well as the patients themselves beside the bed of every patient. Before and after getting in contact with every patient, healthcare workers should apply the alcohol hand rub. Even for the patients, they should also do so before and after going to the toilet.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, August 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:38
NNNN
