The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Board has approved to establish the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Advisory Committee (GBA Committee), so as to advise the HA on strategic directions for participating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) development, as well as the HA's participation in government-led GBA-related initiatives (see membership list in the annex).
 
     The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, said, "Having regard to the strategic importance of the GBA development to Hong Kong, it is instrumental for the HA to formulate long-term strategies and proactively explore concrete collaboration projects to effectively engage in supporting the healthcare initiatives in the GBA development."
 
     The GBA Committee is a designated committee under the HA Board for focused discussion on GBA matters and to provide high-level advice and insights to help the HA formulate strategic directions for participating in the development of the GBA so as to capitalise on the HA's knowledge and strengths, deepen collaboration and drive for synergistic development in the GBA for benefitting the healthcare system in the area.
 
     In addition, the GBA Committee also advises the HA on how to make good use of the opportunities in the GBA development to help the HA cope with its challenges in meeting the healthcare needs and moving towards a sustainable future.
 
     The GBA Committee has convened its first meeting and supported the HA to implement the GBA Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes to deepen professional exchanges of healthcare workers in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province and to foster the development of public healthcare services at both ends. The programmes include:
 

1. GBA Visiting Doctors Programme;
2. GBA Chinese Medicine Visiting Scholars Programme;
3. GBA Specialty Nursing Knowledge-exchange Programme; and
4. GBA Visiting Radiographer (Diagnostic) Programme.

 
     Three experienced practitioners of Chinese medicine are expected to arrive in Hong Kong in October under the GBA Chinese Medicine Visiting Scholars Programme. They will practise and participate in training and research at selected public hospitals. The HA is working with relevant Mainland authorities on details of other programmes, which are targeted to commence gradually at the end of this year at the earliest.
 
     "The visiting programmes are highly conducive to the enhancement of the quality of healthcare services in the Mainland and Hong Kong. The GBA Committee will regularly convene meetings on different topics. We will seek members' expert advice and strategic guidance so as to keep formulating more initiatives in supporting the development of the GBA," Mr Fan added.

Ends/Thursday, September 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:30

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