The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, arrived in Shanghai today (September 5) to meet with the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning, Dr Wu Jinglei, to exchange views on the co-operation in the medical and health field between Shanghai and Hong Kong. She also led a delegation to visit Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to learn about the development of Chinese medicine hospitals.

     Professor Chan said, "During the Fourth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Conference held in Hong Kong last month, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government identified clear directions for a number of areas of co-operation. Regarding medical and health matters, Shanghai and Hong Kong have agreed to deepen co-operation in four areas, namely the development of Chinese medicine, hospital management, public healthcare and medical services.

     "I am grateful to Shanghai for supporting the development of the first Chinese medicine hospital in Hong Kong. They shared with us the advantages and resources in the field of Chinese medicine; supported the academic exchange in Chinese medicine and the flow of healthcare professionals between the two places; facilitated the standardisation of Chinese medicine in both places; and strengthened the co-operation in terms of international classification of diseases.

     "Hong Kong is pushing forward with the development of its first Chinese medicine hospital. With the support of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine has recommended two experts in Chinese medicine from Shanghai to take part in the relevant committee for the preparation of the Hong Kong Chinese medicine hospital in the capacity of Mainland consultants and offer expert advice on the planning, construction and operation of the Chinese medicine hospital."

     The delegation also visited Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine today to understand the operation of the studios of a famed traditional Chinese medicine doctor, the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Oncology and medical wards.

     Professor Chan said, "During today's visit, members of the delegation gained a better understanding of the operation of the hospital and its valuable experience in areas including scope of service, management mode, manpower training and scientific research, which will assist us in developing the first Chinese medicine hospital which can meet the service needs of Hong Kong people."

     The delegation will proceed to Seoul, Korea, tomorrow (September 6). During their stay in Korea, the delegation will visit the Association of Korean Medicine, the National Medical Center of Korea, the Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong and the National Rehabilitation Center. Professor Chan will also call on officials of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea and meet with Hong Kong people living there.

     The delegation includes the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Ms Elizabeth Tse; the Project Director of the Chinese Medicine Hospital Project Office, Dr Cheung Wai-lun; and representatives of the Food and Health Bureau and the Hospital Authority. Members of the Chinese medicine hospital's user group have also joined the visit.

Ends/Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:35

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