​The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, today (October 20) led a delegation from the Department of Health (DH) to attend the meeting of the 76th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Fiji. He engaged in in-depth discussions with representatives from other countries and regions on major health issues of common concern. They explored practical response strategies and ways to strengthen the resilience of health systems. Dr Lam also shared on public health and medical reforms and achievements in Hong Kong, China.
      
     During the opening session today, Dr Lam reported on the latest developments and challenges in public health in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). "The HKSAR has established a resilient public health system. We have enjoyed one of the best indices in terms of life expectancies, maternal and infant mortality rates, etc, as well as quality healthcare services. These achievements are attributed to a solid foundation established across various public health areas, including disease surveillance, disease prevention, and responsive medical services. At the same time, the HKSAR shares many challenges with other member states of the WHO, such as an ageing population, the ongoing strain on the healthcare workforce, the dual threats of non-communicable diseases and communicable diseases, and rising healthcare expenditure," Dr Lam said.
 
     To address the abovementioned issues, "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" announced that Hong Kong, China is deepening its healthcare reform and enhancing the sustainability of the Hong Kong healthcare system through a series of measures. These include enhancing the public healthcare system, promoting healthcare manpower development, strengthening primary healthcare services, enhancing cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, promoting the development of Chinese Medicine (CM), promoting mental health, and developing an international health and medical innovation hub.
 
     "Hong Kong, China is pressing ahead with targeted, far-reaching health reforms. We are transforming our primary health care from a treatment focus to a prevention focus and tailoring it to individual health needs; exploring systemic solutions to alleviate healthcare workforce pressures; accelerating the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and smart and digital healthcare systems to enhance the efficiency and coverage of our services; taking forward health promotion and disease prevention initiatives in a life-course approach; and mobilising resources to tackle health issues of vulnerable groups," Dr Lam added.
 
     He emphasised that the theme of the WHO Western Pacific Region, "Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025-2029)", closely aligns with the healthcare reform objectives outlined in "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address". Hong Kong, China will continue to collaborate closely with the WHO to advance global and Western Pacific regional health objectives.
      
     The five-day meeting runs until October 24. During the meeting, participants will also discuss mental and psychological health care, the impact of climate change on health system safety and resilience, oral health, alcohol control, artificial intelligence in healthcare systems, hypertension control, safer surgery and tobacco control, among other topics. The Controller of Regulatory Affairs of the DH, Dr Fung Ying, will introduce the HKSAR's new phase of tobacco control measures at the meeting. The DH was unanimously elected by all member states and regions of the WHO Western Pacific Region to serve as the official rapporteur for this session, responsible for ensuring that the resolutions adequately reflect the views of member states and regions to promote the effective implementation of the regional programme.
 
     With the support of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, the DH has actively collaborated with and supported the WHO in addressing various public health challenges and contributing to global public health over the years. The DH has been designated by the WHO as a Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine and a Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence, assisting the WHO in formulating global strategies for traditional medicine. Furthermore, the DH regularly provides training programmes on tobacco control and training in smoking cessation treatment for healthcare professionals as well as tobacco control and smoking cessation practitioners in the HKSAR, on the Chinese Mainland and throughout the entire Western Pacific Region. The DH also conducts CM Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Training Workshops to help frontline CM practitioners enhance their knowledge and skills in delivering cessation treatment. Regarding training, to date, over 1 000 individuals have participated in these programmes and training. Additionally, the WHO has designated the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH as a reference laboratory for various communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, measles/rubella, influenza A (H5), SARS and COVID-19, making significant contributions to fighting epidemics worldwide.
 
     With the support of the Central Government and under the "one country, two systems" principle, the DH will continue to maintain close liaison with the WHO member states and regions on various public health protection issues. Through multilateral collaboration and consensus-building, the DH will further enhance and safeguard overall public health in the region.

Ends/Monday, October 20, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:05

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