Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after visiting Princess Margaret Hospital today (August 4):

Reporter: Is there any further plan of co-operation with private hospital or hiring part-time doctors at this point? Are the current measures sufficient for preparing for the winter influenza?

Secretary for Food and Health: Currently, because of the summer surge, there are certain short-term measures taken by the Hospital Authority. We have additional resources to fund these short-term measures. We understand that some of these short-term measures cannot be sustained. So therefore planning for long-term measures, in particular for the winter surge, which will be coming in winter, is crucial. I think on one hand, we will be planning for vaccination for the public, especially for the high-risk groups. Other measures include longer term planning for enough manpower, medical, nursing and other allied health manpower as well as taking into consideration other issues as raised by the hospital staff.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Friday, August 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:18

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