Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Lands Department today (April 24) posted notices for the creation of rights of temporary occupation of land in accordance with section 16 of the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance (Chapter 370) for the construction of the Airport Tung Chung Link.
A portion of private land will be temporarily occupied until December 31, 2028, upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. July 25, 2025). The land will be returned to the relevant land owner after the temporary occupation period.
The Government will closely liaise with the relevant land owner and affected parties, and properly handle their compensation matters.
AIIMS Raipur successfully performs its first Swap Kidney Transplant; becomes the first among the newer AIIMS institutions and the first government hospital in the state of Chhattisgarh to carry out this complex and life-saving procedure It is estimated that Swap Kidney Transplants can increase the number of transplants by up to 15%
AIIMS Raipur has also been first amongst the newer AIIMS to start Deceased Donor Organ Donation and Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation; it is also the first in the state to start Deceased donor Paediatric Kidney Transplantation
Till date, AIIMS Raipur has performed 54 kidney transplants with a graft survival rate of 95% and patient survival rate of 97%, reflecting its clinical excellence and commitment to high-quality patient care
Posted On: 24 APR 2025 9:39AM by PIB Delhi
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, AIIMS Raipur successfully performed its first Swap Kidney Transplant, also known as a Kidney Paired Transplant (KPT). With this achievement, AIIMS Raipur becomes the first among the newer AIIMS institutions and the first government hospital in the state of Chhattisgarh to carry out this complex and life-saving procedure. This significant milestone underscores the institute’s commitment to advancing healthcare and providing innovative treatment solutions for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease.
It is estimated that Swap Kidney Transplant lead to a 15% increase in the number of transplants. Recognizing its potential, the National Organisation and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has recommended for the implementation of Swap donor transplantation to all the states and Union Territories as this option could increase the number of donors. NOTTO has also decided to have a ‘uniform one nation one swap transplant programme’ to facilitate these transplants more effectively across the country.
In a Swap Transplant, a patient with renal failure who has a willing living donor—but is unable to receive the kidney due to an incompatible blood group or the presence of HLA antibodies—can still undergo a transplant by exchanging donors with another incompatible pair. Through this arrangement, both recipients receive compatible kidneys, resulting in successful transplants for both pairs.
In the landmark case at AIIMS Raipur, two male ESRD patients, aged 39 and 41 from Bilaspur, had been on dialysis for three years. Both were advised to undergo kidney transplantation. Their respective wives came forward as living donors. However, due to blood group incompatibility – one pair having B+ and O+, and the other O+ and B+ – direct donation was not possible. To overcome this challenge, the transplant team at AIIMS Raipur coordinated a successful swap transplant. Each donor gave her kidney to the other recipient, ensuring blood group compatibility and enabling both patients to receive life-saving organs. The surgery was conducted on 15th March 2025, and all four individuals – both donors and recipients – are currently recovering well under close observation in the Transplant ICU. This milestone reflects AIIMS Raipur’s growing capabilities in advanced medical care and its commitment to providing innovative solutions for patients battling chronic kidney disease.
The Swap Transplant team consisted of Dr Vinay Rathore (Transplant Physician); Dr Amit R Sharma, Dr Deepak Biswal and Dr Satyadeo Sharma (Transplant Surgeons); Dr Subrat Singha, Dr Mayank, Dr Jitendra and Dr Sarita Ramchandani (Anaethesiologists) and other Transplant Co-ordinator team members and OT and Transplant Nursing staff.
AIIMS Raipur has played a pivotal role in the development of Organ Transplant in Chhattisgarh. The institute has successfully developed a renal transplant program, encompassing both living and deceased donor transplants. Six deceased donors have donated their organs in last two years.
AIIMS Raipur has also been first amongst the newer AIIMS to start Deceased Donor Organ Donation and Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation. It is also the first in the state to start Deceased donor Paediatric Kidney Transplantation. To date, the institute has performed 54 kidney transplants with a graft survival rate of 95% and patient survival rate of 97%, reflecting its clinical excellence and commitment to high-quality patient care.
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MV
HFW/AIIMS Raipur – Swap Kidney Transplant/24 April 2025/1
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Police today (April 24) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Cheng Wah-sang, aged 73, went missing after he was last seen in a shopping mall on Granville Road yesterday (April 23) afternoon. His friend then made a report to Police.
He is about 1.7 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a green long-sleeved polo shirt, blue trousers and dark shoes.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1174 or 9628 4078 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 24) that, since the water of Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach, Lido Beach, Casam Beach and Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan District is now suitable for swimming, the red flags have been lowered.
The red flags were hoisted at the beaches earlier after a red tide was found.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The 15th National Games (NG) Basketball (Men’s U22) test event will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom on April 26 and 27 (Saturday and Sunday), with an aim to prepare for the official events of the NG to be staged in November this year.
The test event will be held from 2pm to 6.30pm on both days, with the participation of four basketball teams, namely Hong Kong A1 Division Championship basketball teams Hong Kong Eastern, Winling and Tycoon, as well as the Hong Kong Men’s U22 representative team. Admission tickets have been distributed through the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China and the Eastern Sports Club. Those who possess a ticket may enter the venue for the event upon completion of a security check starting from 12.30pm on the event days.
The test event is organised by the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) and co-organised by the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China and the Eastern Sports Club, with the Chinese Basketball Association as advisor.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, today, in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The Prime Minister posted on X :
“In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, chaired a meeting of the CCS at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Legislative proposal to regulate konjac-containing jelly confectionery(ii) To require all prepackaged konjac-containing jelly confectionery products to be labelled with a warning statement on prevention of choking hazard in both English and Chinese: “Caution: Do not swallow whole. Elderly and children must consume under supervision.”Issued at HKT 18:22
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Development Bureau receives eight expression of interest submissions for developing marina in Aberdeen The spokesperson said, “The enterprises/organisations making the submissions include local and overseas developers, hotel/entertainment groups and marina developers/operators. We will consolidate and analyse the collected feedback to firm up the development parameters and requirements for the marina within this year for undertaking various technical assessments and the necessary statutory procedures. Under the established approach, it is anticipated for tendering in 2027. If a feasible market proposal is received during the EOI exercise to speed up the process, we will actively consider an earlier tender time.”
The spokesperson added, “As the feedback involves commercially sensitive information from individual enterprises, it will not be disclosed. However, relevant views will be taken into account to establish the future tender conditions, approach and timing.”
The 2024 Policy Address announced the initiative of promoting yacht tourism, with plans to invite the market to construct and operate marinas at three locations, including the expansion area of the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter. The Government plans to seek the Legislative Council’s funding approval next year to expand the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter to increase sheltered space for public mooring under the Public Works Programme. In the meantime, the Government hopes to seize this opportunity to utilise part of the expanded waterbody for the market to develop the marina and better leverage market forces to promote yacht tourism. Issued at HKT 18:07
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs today (April 24) arrested a manager of a beauty parlour who was suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices involving aggressive commercial practices, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a manager of a beauty parlour in Causeway Bay imposed undue influence on a customer, causing her to subsequently cancel some purchased beauty treatments and pay an additional $90,000 as an application fee for the refund. The manager promised that a full refund for the treatments and application fee would be made within a specified period. However, despite repeated requests, the customer did not receive any refund.
After an investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 37-year-old female manager.
The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.
Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence of engaging in aggressive commercial practices if harassment, coercion or undue influence is used to impair the consumer’s freedom of choice or conduct, causing the consumer to make a transactional decision. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (April 24) presented certificates to awardees under the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (GSF) and the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund (SPEF) for the 2024/25 academic year at the GSF and SPEF Joint Scholarship Presentation Ceremony 2025.
Over 6 400 meritorious post-secondary students received scholarships and awards, amounting to about $196 million in total. Both the GSF and the SPEF also give recognition to meritorious post-secondary students with special educational needs (SEN) through the Endeavour Merit Award and the Endeavour Scholarship. This year, a total of around 600 SEN students were given the awards/scholarships.
Dr Choi said that the two scholarship schemes have successfully attracted outstanding non-local students to pursue their studies in Hong Kong by commending those with excellent performance in various aspects, thereby enhancing the city’s position as an international hub for post-secondary education. To tie in with the overall national development, the Education Bureau will adhere to the principle of integrity and innovation, and seize the development opportunities arising from the country’s Belt and Road initiatives, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, etc, to deepen Hong Kong’s role as a cluster of talent, and to consolidate and develop Hong Kong’s advantages in education.
The GSF was established in 2008 to attract outstanding local students to advance their studies at home, and meritorious non-local students to pursue higher education opportunities in Hong Kong. There are five types of scholarships and awards under the GSF, namely Scholarships for Outstanding Performance, Belt and Road (B&R) Scholarship, Talent Development Scholarship, Reaching Out Award and Endeavour Merit Award. Scholarships and awards are offered to students studying full-time publicly funded sub-degree, undergraduate-level and above programmes in Hong Kong. In the 2024/25 academic year, about 2 000 students received the scholarships/awards, including about 1 200 local students and about 800 non-local students. In terms of levels of study, about 1 400 students were at the undergraduate level and above, while about 600 students were at the sub-degree level.
​In addition, the B&R Scholarship was introduced to encourage students from B&R countries/regions to pursue studies in Hong Kong. In the 2024/25 academic year, 150 students from 31 B&R countries/regions have been awarded this scholarship for the first time.
The Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme (SPSS) was established under the SPEF in 2011 to promote the quality and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary sector. There are five types of scholarships and awards under the scheme, namely Outstanding Performance Scholarship, Best Progress Award, Talent Development Scholarship, Reaching Out Award and Endeavour Scholarship. These scholarships and awards are offered to students pursuing full-time locally accredited self-financing sub-degree or undergraduate programmes. In the 2024/25 academic year, the SPEF offered scholarships and awards to about 4 000 local and about 400 non-local students. In terms of levels of study, about 2 400 of them pursued undergraduate studies, while about 2 000 students were at the sub-degree level.