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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) welcomes the appointment of Professor John Leong Chi-yan as the new Chairman of the Authority, as announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (October 8).
The HA Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu Ting-yuk welcomes the appointment by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR of Professor John Leong Chi-yan as the HA Chairman. Professor Leong, a renowned orthopaedic clinician-scientist, is currently the President of the Open University of Hong Kong. He served as a member in the first term of the HA Board from when it was established in December 1990 until the end of November 1991. He has also served as a Hospital Governing Committees (HGC) Member of various public hospitals since 1991, and was the Chairman of the HGC of Castle Peak Hospital from 1999 until March this year. With his professional expertise and management experience in major organisations, Professor Leong's appointment as HA Chairman will help bring Hong Kong's public healthcare system to a new height amid the challenges ahead.
Speaking on his chairmanship of the HA Board since 2004, Mr Wu said it was his honour and pleasure to hold this important appointment for nine years.
"I could never forget how we sailed through the rough waters together with the unwavering support of a visionary Board, a dedicated workforce, and unfailing resource back-up from the Government in meeting the challenges and expectations of the community.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my partners in the Board, colleagues in the HA, the Government, as well as the community and the mass media who have offered invaluable support and advice during my tenure with the Authority.
"I believe that the HA will be re-energised with new thoughts and new leadership, and l am sure my successor will bring the HA to new heights," said Mr Wu.
The HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin said that he and his colleagues would fully support and work with Professor Leong. "I am confident that the 70 000-strong HA workforce will collaborate closely with the Board, led by the new Chairman in enhancing public healthcare services to cater to the needs of patients and taking care of hospital frontline staff, who are facing ever-increasing demands and expectations from the community."
Dr Leung also expressed deep appreciation to the out-going Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu, for his significant contribution to the Authority as well as the public healthcare system over the past nine years in leading the Board.
Ends/Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:53
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