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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health of the United Kingdom (UK), Ms Jane Ellison, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on health co-operation in London today (October 15, London time).
The signing was witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK, Mr Philip Hammond.
Dr Ko said both Hong Kong and the UK are facing the challenges of providing healthcare to their residents in the context of an ageing population, emerging and re-emerging diseases and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
"The MOU provides a framework for the two places to further share expertise and strengthen mutual co-operation, which will be beneficial to Hong Kong in developing its health system to cope with changes in society and public needs," he said.
Under the MOU, the two sides seek to facilitate co-operation and exchange of information and views in the areas of healthcare policy and health protection, including primary care delivery models, non-communicable diseases, the use of technology in healthcare in supporting different service delivery models, the design and development of new hospitals and redevelopment of existing hospital facilities, the sharing of experience on the regulation of traditional medicines, the regulatory mechanisms relating to medicinal products and medical devices for human use, as well as antimicrobial resistance and the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
Both sides will step up co-operation through various means, such as the facilitation of research and experience sharing activities; exchanges and visits of healthcare professionals; organisation of joint conferences; and encouragement of communication and collaboration between appropriate public organisations of the two places.
Ends/Friday, October 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 00:35
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