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The Government announced today (October 8) that, in accordance with the Hospital Authority Ordinance, the Chief Executive has appointed Professor John Leong Chi-yan as the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA). His term of appointment will be two years with effect from December 1, 2013.
Professor Leong is an internationally renowned clinician-scientist specialising in spinal and paediatric orthopaedics. He has served as the President of the Open University of Hong Kong since 2003. He is also an Emeritus Professor and an Honorary Professor of both the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology and the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Hong Kong. He was Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the University of Hong Kong, and Chief of Service of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at Queen Mary Hospital from 1981 to 2003. He was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong from 1985 to 1990.
Professor Leong has rich exposure in community service. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Public Libraries Advisory Committee and the Consultation Panel under the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. He was also the Chairman of the Hospital Governing Committee (HGC) of Castle Peak Hospital from 1999 to 2013 and is now an HGC member of Ruttonjee Hospital.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, welcomed the appointment of Professor Leong as the new Chairman. He said Professor Leong's vast experience in the health-care sector and public service as well as thorough understanding of the HA's operation made him eminently suitable for such an important post.
"I have every confidence in Professor Leong that under his leadership, the HA would be able to rise to the many challenges that lie ahead and continue to provide the public with quality medical services. In particular, his solid experience in managing public organisations and sound knowledge on the health-care system of Hong Kong would be invaluable assets to the HA review under way," Dr Ko said.
He also thanked and commended the outgoing Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, for his strong leadership and unwavering commitment that he has demonstrated over the past nine years as Chairman of the HA.
"I am sure that Mr Wu will continue to take a close interest in the work of the Authority and support the Government in enhancing our health-care system and public hospital services in other capacities", Dr Ko said.
Ends/Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:01
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