The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited Princess Margaret Hospital today (January 20) to inspect the service situation of the public hospital during the winter service surge and to show appreciation to frontline healthcare staff for their perseverance and contributions.
 
     Accompanied by the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon West Cluster of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Alexander Law, Professor Lo and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, visited the Medicine and Geriatrics Specialist Outpatient Clinic, the Orthopaedics and Traumatology ward, and the Accident and Emergency Department. They received a briefing by the hospital management and frontline healthcare staff on the contingency measures taken and manpower arrangement made by the hospital in response to COVID-19 and the winter service surge to ensure normal operation of the healthcare system.
 
     Professor Lo said, "Although the number of people infected with COVID-19 in Hong Kong has been declining recently, the demand for public hospital services will continue to be under strain as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches. I am pleased to know that the HA has already implemented a series of contingency measures and mobilised manpower actively to ensure that hospitals can operate as usual during the holiday. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all healthcare staff for performing their duties with unfailing dedication during the holiday, taking care of patients with professionalism and selflessness, as well as safeguarding Hong Kong's healthcare system at all times.
 
     "Following three years of the COVID-19 epidemic, with the concerted efforts of all sectors and members of the public, Hong Kong is gradually embarking on the road to normalcy in an orderly and safe manner. As the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong has entered a new stage, we have already made a series of appropriate adjustments to the anti-epidemic measures, allowing more social and economic activities to resume. The Government will continue to adhere to the principles of science-based and targeted anti-epidemic measures, as well as the proper management of risks and citizen-focused facilitation, and closely monitor the epidemic development, the latest scientific data and other information to adjust various measures in due course."
 
     Lastly, Professor Lo once again appealed to members of the public, the elderly and children in particular, to receive seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible, wear masks properly and maintain good personal protection, so that everyone can celebrate the festival more safely to welcome the Year of the Rabbit.

Ends/Friday, January 20, 2023
Issued at HKT 18:30

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