Mainland Chinese medicine expert group of Central Authorities visits various healthcare facilities and holding centre (with photos)
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In the morning, the expert group started their visit at the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre (HKICC) to receive briefing from representatives of the Hospital Authority (HA) on the operation of the HKICC and visit the isolation wards and laboratories. The leader of the Mainland medical support team, Mr Chong Yutian, who arrived in Hong Kong earlier also joined the visit.
The expert group then proceeded to the Treatment Centre for COVID-19 at AsiaWorld-Expo to learn about its operation and exchanged views with on-site Chinese medicine practitioners on the implementation of the Special Chinese Medicine Programme for COVID-19 In-patients (the In-patient Programme). Accompanied by members of the Hong Kong medical team and the Mainland medical support team, the expert group headed to the isolation zone to check on patients’ conditions and conducted case review.
The HA launched the In-patient Programme at the Treatment Centre for COVID-19 (formerly known as community treatment facility) in January 2021 to provide Chinese medicine treatment for in-patients at the Treatment Centre for COVID-19 (AWE) and the HKICC, giving full play to the strength of Chinese and Western medicine collaboration in anti-epidemic treatment and demonstrating the concerted effort of the entire medical community in fighting against the epidemic. Since members of the Mainland medical support team commenced their work at the Treatment Centre for COVID-19, they have been working with the HA and the Chinese medicine team to streamline the service workflow. At present, all patients admitted to the Treatment Centre for COVID-19 will be jointly assessed by the Chinese and Western medical teams to consider whether they are suitable for receiving Chinese medicine service which will be provided to patients on a voluntary basis. In addition, the Chinese and Western medical teams work as a team, and go on duty and make ward rounds together to provide integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment to patients. With the support from the Mainland medical support team, the capacity and volume of Chinese medicine service at Treatment Centre for COVID-19 (AWE) have been increased substantially, with about 1 400 consultations provided to some 300 patients so far.
In the afternoon, the expert group visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is now a designated hospital, and was given an introduction of its operation by the hospital’s representatives. The export group also conducted case studies with the medical team of the intensive care unit on clinical treatment for COVID-19 patients in critical conditions.
The expert group then proceeded to the holding centre at Choi Wing Road Sports Centre in Kwun Tong to have a better understanding on its operation. They received a briefing from the representatives of the Social Welfare Department and the HA on the centre’s protocol in receiving elderly patients. The expert group then communicated with the care team formed by staff of the Po Leung Kuk to know more about the health conditions of the elderly and their care needs. Representatives of the School of Chinese Medicine of the University of Hong Kong also introduced the Chinese medicine services provided to elderly COVID-19 patients at the centre. The service adopts the Chinese and Western medicine collaboration model, with Chinese and Western medical practitioners jointly make ward rounds and formulate treatment plans. Apart from being prescribed with suitable Chinese medicines for relieving symptoms and recuperation, patients staying at the centre can also be prescribed with the two kinds of COVID-19 oral drug as appropriate.
Led by Mr Tong, the expert group arrived in Hong Kong on March 29 to conduct visits.
Ends/Friday, April 1, 2022
Issued at HKT 22:22
Issued at HKT 22:22
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