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The health and quarantine authorities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen today (March 3) signed an agreement to enhance their cooperation on quarantine and health measures during the 26th Shenzhen Summer Universiade (the Universiade) to better protect the health of athletes and staff at boundary control points.
The agreement was signed by the Director of Health, Dr P Y Lam, and the Director General of Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Mr Liu Shengli.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Lam said he was glad that Shenzhen would be hosting the Universiade, which is an international multi-sports event, in August. He believed many athletes and staff of the event will travel to and from Shenzhen through Hong Kong.
Dr Lam believed that efforts in public health measures at boundary control points to prevent communicable diseases would contribute much to the success of the Universiade.
He said: "There have all along been strong ties between the health and quarantine authorities of the two places in disease control and contingency measures for major public health issues. To ensure quality and efficient health clearance services as well as emergency medical services for participants of the Universiade upon arrival and departure, the Department of Health and Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau have reached consensus on cooperation in various health issues after deliberation and came up with this cooperation agreement."
According to the agreement, both parties agreed to:
- enhance health measures at boundary control points to prevent the spread of communicable diseases;
- strengthen cooperation on prevention and control of communicable diseases, emergency medical services, surveillance technology and research; improve emergency preparedness and enhance communication network and coordination mechanism;
- introduce a two-tier communication mechanism for communicable diseases at boundary control points;
- set up an emergency medical aides mechanism for participants at boundary control points or athlete villages in case of major communicable disease outbreaks;
- conduct an exercise on major public health issues at boundary control points;
- arrange for, and provide notification of, the departure or transfer of injured or sick athletes to Hong Kong for treatment.
The Universiade was first held in 1959 to promote sports activities and foster friendship among university students from all over the world. It is also known as the "Small Olympics".
Ends/Thursday, March 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:17
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