The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) and the National Conference of University Hospital General Managers of France signed a three-year declaration of intent today (May 26) to strengthen collaboration and exchanges between the two parties in various areas of hospital management and development, including promoting green hospital initiatives and the development of smart hospital, coping with an ageing population, and research and innovation.
      
     The signing ceremony was held during the HA Convention 2025. The Special Envoy of the President of the National Conference of University Hospital General Managers, Mr Frédéric Rimattei, and the HA Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, signed the three-year (2025-2028) declaration of intent, witnessed by the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe; the Counsellor for Health, Social Affairs and Labor from the Embassy of France in China, Mr Romain Jacquet; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; and the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan.
      
     The National Conference of University Hospital General Managers is composed of 32 university hospital centres in France, covering about 40 per cent of the public healthcare services in the country, and is responsible for promoting the development of medical education and clinical research. Mr Fan said that there is ample room for collaboration between the two parties in various healthcare-related areas. The signing of the declaration of intent has laid the foundation for various collaborative initiatives in the future.
      
     Mr Fan said, "The French public healthcare system is highly acclaimed internationally, and we have much to learn from each other. I look forward to deepening our collaboration in the future, particularly in the areas of sustainable development of the healthcare system, application of smart technologies, talent exchange and training, as well as research and innovation to jointly enhance the quality and standards of healthcare services."
      
     The President of the National Conference of University Hospital General Managers, Mr Philippe El Saïr, said, "We are delighted to embark on an extensive collaboration with the HA. I believe that both parties will leverage their respective strengths, share experiences and expertise in various aspects of hospital management and development, and promote in-depth exchanges among healthcare professionals in the two places, as well as explore opportunities for clinical research collaboration in different areas."
      
     Going forward, the HA and the National Conference of University Hospital General Managers will organise regular meetings to plan various collaborative initiatives in detail, and actively arrange reciprocal visits and exchange activities to jointly foster the development of healthcare services in both places.

Ends/Monday, May 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:15

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