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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after officiating at a ceremony of Antibiotic Awareness Day 2014 this afternoon (November 17):
Reporter: (On Hong Kong's situation in using antibiotics.)
Secretary for Food and Health: I think antimicrobial resistance is an issue of global concern. In the World Health Assembly earlier this year, this was one of the most dominating agenda. In fact, the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance is not only occurring in Hong Kong, but is a global phenomenon. The pace of inventing new antibiotics is actually slowing down, and it is our concern that new antibiotics available for health-care workers would be getting fewer and fewer. If we do not work together and control the situation of antimicrobial resistance, when the so-called "last resort" antibiotics become ineffective in curing some of our commonly encountered bacteria, we will of course be in trouble. As for Hong Kong, I think some degree of inappropriate use of antibiotics does exist. For example, patients might not be well educated to know the importance of completing the whole course of antibiotics. This will also enhance the development of antimicrobial resistance. So we need the collaboration of the entire health-care sector, both public as well as private sectors, to work hand in hand, to make a pledge in the proper use of antibiotics and in educating patients on the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Reporter: (On the occupy movement.)
Secretary for Food and Health: I think so far the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government as well as our Police or other law enforcing agencies have been exercising the greatest degree of tolerance regarding the occupy movement. I would like to appeal to our protesters, firstly to vacate all the sites being occupied, so that the public order and livelihood of our citizens can resume normal as soon as possible, and secondly to use rational and peaceful mode of expression to avoid any possibility of violent outbreaks.
Reporter: (On the occupy movement.)
Secretary for Food and Health: As I have said, the Hong Kong Government as well as the Police have been exercising the greatest degree of tolerance. Whenever they need to take law enforcement action, the minimal level of force will be used.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, November 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:01
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