The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) fully supports the Food and Health Bureau to distribute anti-epidemic Chinese medicines donated by the Mainland to the COVID-19 patients under isolation arrangement at Community Isolation Facilities (CIF). The first batch of Chinese medicines had already reached the CIF at Penny's Bay and the Queen's Hill Estate CIF. With the utmost assistance of the Civil Aid Service, the Chinese medicines are passed to persons under isolation at CIF at Penny's Bay. Anti-epidemic Chinese medicines will be distributed at other CIFs and hotels as well as Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres in 18 districts by phases.

     "We express heartfelt gratitude to the generous donation of anti-epidemic Chinese medicines from the Mainland to the COVID-19 patients, which demonstrate its deepest care for the people of Hong Kong and full support to Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work," HA spokesperson said.

     The anti-epidemic Chinese medicines donated by the Mainland include "Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang", "Jinhua Qinggan Keli" and "Huoxiang Zhengqi". The aforementioned three proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm) are recommended in the Mainland's "Diagnosis and Treatment Protocols for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia". Subject to individual's physique, cause of disease and medical conditions, pCm should be used under clinical guidance of Chinese medicine practitioners.

     The HA spokesperson added that, the Chinese Medicine Department of the HA has arranged registered Chinese medicine practitioners to provide free tele-advice service (Telephone hotline: 2794 3171) to support persons under isolation arrangement at CIF.

     Since the emergence of the epidemic, the HA has supported the anti-epidemic work of the Government including implementing the "Special Chinese Medicine Out-patient Programme" and the "Special Chinese Medicine Programme for COVID-19 In-patients" to provide patients with more rehabilitation and treatment options. The HA will continue to engage the Chinese Medicine sector to further explore the way forward in supporting members of the public affected by the epidemic, safeguarding their health and combating the epidemic together.

Ends/Sunday, February 27, 2022
Issued at HKT 22:55

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