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Transcript of remarks of SFH at media session
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     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending a public function today (February 4):

Reporter: Following Dr Yuen Kwok-yung's suggestion made earlier today, do you think injecting $50 billion to the Hospital Authority from the Government is a feasible suggestion to consider? 

Secretary for Food and Health: It is timely for the Hospital Authority to make medium to long-term plans in terms of how to improve and increase their healthcare services, so that it can meet the demand of the public because of the ageing population, as well as the very heavy burden of non-communicable diseases, that is chronic diseases. Of course the Government will try our best to provide resources to match all these requests but it is important for the Hospital Authority to work out medium and long-term plans so that we know what is needed. Whether the resource is provided in terms of a special fund or whether it should be given to, for example, hardware, as well as software provision, I think the Government will look into the matter. Of course hardware is important. Previously we have already reserved $200 billion for the redevelopment of different hospitals under the Hospital Authority and I'm sure there are other hospitals need to be redeveloped. The Hospital Authority is working on another list so the issue of hardware can be improved and rectified. As far as software is concerned, that is the manpower - another issue the Hospital Authority should work out a medium to long-term manpower requirement. The Government is ready to provide resources to solve the shortfall of different healthcare manpower.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
 
Ends/Sunday, February 4, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:51
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