Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (July 28) that the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (GPHCM) in Guangzhou will accept eligible Hong Kong elderly persons to use Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHCVs) to pay for outpatient healthcare services at designated departments starting from July 31.

“The GPHCM is the fourth service point in Guangzhou and the second Chinese medicine hospital under the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme (Pilot Scheme), providing eligible elderly persons with additional choices in healthcare services. In January 2024, the GPHCM and the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement to promote talent exchange and scientific research collaboration, etc. The GPHCM has been an invaluable partner to Hong Kong in promoting the high-quality development of Chinese medicine,” said a Government spokesman. With this additional service point, the number of service points in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Mainland cities where EHCVs can be used will increase to 16, benefitting more than 1.78 million eligible Hong Kong elderly persons. Apart from the GPHCM, the other three service points in Guangzhou are The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Clifford Hospital.

At the GPHCM, EHCVs are applicable for outpatient healthcare services provided by 10 designated departments, namely the Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck, Department of Stomatology, Department of Orthopedics, Department of Gynecology, Department of Dermatology, Department of Breast, and Department of Acupuncture.

The arrangements for shared use of EHCVs between spouses and the EHCV Pilot Reward Scheme under the EHCV Scheme are equally applicable to the GPHCM. When an elderly person receives designated primary healthcare outpatient services for health checks, preventive health services, and follow-up/monitoring of long-term conditions at the designated departments, the EHCV spending for that service encounter can be accumulated for the allotment of rewards. Further information and patient visit procedures are set out in the Annex.

The fees for the healthcare services provided by the pilot medical institutions are denominated in Renminbi. Medical institutions will make EHCV claims for elderly persons, and the EHCV amount deducted in Hong Kong dollars will be calculated according to a monthly updated voucher conversion factor under the EHCV Scheme. The monthly voucher conversion factor under the EHCV Scheme will be displayed at the cashier offices of the medical institutions for reference by the elderly persons.

“Elderly persons cannot use EHCVs together with national medical insurance to pay for the fees of the same healthcare service encounter. The scope of using EHCVs on the Mainland is the same as that in Hong Kong, which does not include inpatient services, prepaid healthcare services and day surgery procedures. EHCVs cannot be used solely for the purchase of goods, medication, medical equipment or products, nor can they be redeemed for cash,” the spokesman reminded.

Hong Kong elderly persons should register with eHealth before using EHCVs at any designated service point in the GBA. To facilitate Hong Kong citizens in using electronic health records (eHRs) across the boundary in a secure manner and to enhance the continuity of healthcare services, the “Cross-boundary Health Record” and “Personal Folder” functions of the eHealth mobile application (eHealth App) will be extended to the GPHCM starting from the service launch day of the Pilot Scheme (i.e. July 31). In addition, elderly persons can also use the eHealth App to check their EHCV balance and usage record, as well as access at any time important information such as their medications, allergies and adverse drug reactions stored in the eHealth App. If elderly persons wish to use EHCVs at the GBA medical institutions but have not yet registered with eHealth, the medical institutions will instantly register them for eHealth upon their consent so that they can use EHCVs right away.

If elderly persons suspect that the participating medical institutions have violated the EHCV Scheme rules, they can call the EHCV Scheme hotline (2838 2311) to provide relevant information and details to the Health Care Voucher Division of the Department of Health (DH). All suspected cases of violation of the EHCV Scheme rules will be strictly dealt with by the DH. Furthermore, each participating GBA medical institution has set up an enquiry and complaint hotline. Elderly persons can also offer their views to the relevant medical institution or file complaints against the medical institutions under the Pilot Scheme to the health authority at the provincial or city level if necessary. Members of the public can visit the following thematic website (www.hcv.gov.hk/en/hcv_gba_pilot_scheme/index.html) for more information.

The Government is actively taking forward the implementation of the Pilot Scheme in the remaining five medical institutions included in the Pilot Scheme. It is expected that the relevant arrangements will be launched gradually in the second half of this year. Together with the two service points operated by the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, eligible elderly persons can use EHCVs at a total of 21 service points in the GBA Mainland cities.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To drive the development of local medical education and research, the Health Bureau (HHB), in collaboration with the Hospital Authority (HA) and the two medical schools of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), introduced a dedicated dual-track development pathway for medical, teaching and research talents who integrate clinical practices, teaching and research in their work. Under this pathway, doctors aspiring to engage in medical, teaching and research work would hold positions at both the HA and the designated university, and could flexibly allocate their time between clinical services, teaching and research work as needed.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said today (July 28), “The dual-track development pathway is a new initiative that goes beyond the existing employment arrangements in Hong Kong’s public healthcare institutions and medical schools.  It provides a more fitting professional development pathway for composite talent engaged in medical, teaching and research work, with tailor-made appointment and clinical work arrangements and a promotion ladder commensurate with the nature of their work. It also provides stronger support for their teaching and research duties, including conferring the title of university professor. This arrangement signifies a breakthrough of institutional framework through collaboration between the HA and the two local medical schools to train and retain medical, teaching and research talent.

     “A doctor’s clinical work is inextricably linked with teaching and research. The data and experience from clinical work are an important foundation for medical research, while the clinical application of the latest research results can further enhance the quality and quantity of clinical services. The two are complementary. I hope that the dual-track development pathway will enable more doctors who aspire to engage in medical, teaching and research work to realise their ambitions and contribute to Hong Kong’s medical innovation and research while providing clinical services to patients.”

     He continued, “The establishment of a dual-track development pathway creates a more favourable environment for nurturing clinical, teaching and research talent. This complements the various reforms within our healthcare system put forward by the HHB in recent years, including preparing for the establishment of the ‘Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation’, setting up the ‘Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute’, promoting clinical trials, and planning for the establishment of a third medical school.  All these initiatives will consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international health and medical innovation hub. I also hope this new measure will attract more non-locally trained doctors who are interested in clinical research and innovation to come to Hong Kong, to further strengthen the medical talent pool for the benefit of the public.”

     The HA and the two medical schools have started the relevant recruitment work progressively. To date, five doctors have been officially selected to participate in the dual-track development pathway. Among them, four doctors from the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital were appointed by the medical school of HKU, focusing on the research and treatment of various diseases covering paediatric malignant tumours, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, neonatal intensive care, differences in sex development in children, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease in the young, paediatric hematology and oncology, and the development of simulation-based learning and skills training. Another doctor from the Department of Intensive Care of the New Territories East Cluster was appointed by the medical school of CUHK, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, research and professional training in pain management and intensive care.  Furthermore, various doctors from the New Territories East Cluster are expected to join the medical school of CUHK through the dual-track development pathway within this year, further expanding the talent pool for the integration of teaching and clinical work.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Department of Health (DH) today (July 28) said that with the Government’s promulgation and efforts over the past three decades, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Hong Kong has been significantly reduced and is moving progressively towards the goal of a “hepatitis B-free generation”.

World Hepatitis Day is designated on July 28 every year. This year, the DH has adopted the slogan “1 in 20: Test and Manage Hep B Early” to remind members of the public to undergo testing early if they are uncertain whether they are having chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Early identification and management can effectively lower the risk of serious liver diseases caused by CHB.

     “The prevalence of HBV infection in Hong Kong was over 10 per cent in the 1970s. Since the 1980s, the Government has implemented various effective and free preventive measures, including universal antenatal screening for hepatitis B, administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin for babies born to mothers with hepatitis B, universal neonatal hepatitis B vaccination since 1988, use of antivirals for pregnant women with CHB and high viral load, and post-vaccination serologic testing arranged for babies born to mothers with hepatitis B in recent years. Currently, the prevalence of HBV infection is less than 1 per cent among those under 35 years old. Hong Kong is moving towards the goal of a ‘hepatitis B-free generation'”, said the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Public Health Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Bonnie Wong.

Hepatitis B infection can be acute or chronic. Severe cases of hepatitis B infection can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis or liver cancer. As derived from the findings of the Population Health Survey (PHS) 2020-22 conducted by the DH, about 5.6 per cent (about 410 000 people) of the Hong Kong population have CHB. The survey found that the prevalence of HBV infection among participants aged 35 to 84 was significantly higher at 7.8 per cent, mainly because those born before 1988 had not benefited from the universal childhood hepatitis B immunisation programme. The survey also found that nearly 40 per cent of people with CHB were not aware of their conditions and about 70 per cent of people with CHB did not receive any medical follow-up. CHB is a lifelong infection that often shows no symptoms for decades. Without treatment, about 15 to 40 per cent of the patients with CHB may develop serious liver diseases like cirrhosis or liver cancer in the long run. Liver cancer is Hong Kong’s third leading cause of cancer deaths, which claimed around 1 400 lives every year. About 80 per cent of primary liver cancer patients have CHB.

The DH, in support of World Hepatitis Day, urges members of the public in Hong Kong to pay attention to CHB, which is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. People who are not sure whether they have CHB, especially those at higher risk of infection, such as those who have not received vaccination, or whose family members (including parents, siblings and offspring) or sexual partners have CHB, are advised to undergo early testing to review their health condition and take appropriate preventive measures, including receiving hepatitis B vaccination.

Apart from the traditional venous blood sampling, rapid test for hepatitis B using blood drop from a finger-prick is also available and the result will be available in 15 to 30 minutes. Hepatitis B testing is available at different healthcare organisations, and some even offer mobile testing services. Members of the public may consult their family doctors for details and the charges if they wish to have hepatitis B testing.

If you are diagnosed with CHB, in line with the principle of “test and manage early”, you should consult your doctor for advice and receive regular follow-ups and examinations. Current antiviral medications for hepatitis B can inhibit virus replication effectively and thereby greatly reduce the risk of complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Separately, the 2024 Policy Address announced a risk-based hepatitis B screening in the community for early identification of people with CHB in the community, and to provide subsequent management. The Primary Healthcare Commission is exploring the relevant arrangement and details will be announced in due course. In addition, the Government will announce the Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2025-2030 within this year, to promulgate measures to further alleviate the public health burden of viral hepatitis.

To raise the public and healthcare workers’ awareness of the risk of hepatitis, the DH and community partners have respectively launched a number of publicity campaigns to disseminate the messages to different population groups, including:

• promoting health information through multiple channels, such as newspaper columns, radio interviews and social media;
• organising online and physical health seminars in District Health Centres;
• organising roving exhibitions on health promotions in various districts across the territory; and
• organising community public education activities by non-governmental organisations (including Asiahep Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong Hepatitis B Free Foundation, the Hong Kong Liver Foundation and the Hong Kong Liver Transplant Patients’ Association) to educate the public on the prevention of hepatitis B, and provide services such as rapid testing and risk assessment.

For more information on World Hepatitis Day 2025 and hepatitis B, please visit the thematic website and Viral Hepatitis Control Office’s website of the DH.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Director of Architectural Services, Mr Michael Li, was deeply saddened by the passing of a staff member of its contractor in an incident that happened at the construction site of Redevelopment of Queen Mary Hospital Phase I on July 27. Mr Li visited the construction site immediately after the incident to understand the situation and met with the family of the deceased at Queen Mary Hospital, expressing his deepest condolences to them. The Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) has requested the contractor to provide appropriate assistance to the deceased’s family.
 
At about 5.45pm on July 27, a 58-year-old male worker was found injured and unconscious in the lift shaft. He was rescued and sent to the Queen Mary Hospital for emergency treatment and was certified dead later.

The ArchSD immediately suspended the relevant works and instructed the main contractor to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident. The ArchSD will also render full assistance to relevant department to investigate the cause of the incident.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in the Southern District this afternoon (July 27) in which a man died.

     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 27) strongly opposed and disapproved of smears with distorted facts by government officials and politicians from countries like the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as anti-China organisations, on HKSAR’s lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong. Not only did such foreign government officials and politicians, as well as anti-China organisations, turned a blind eye to illegal acts of criminals, but also deliberately smeared and spread irresponsible remarks, in an attempt to mislead the public, about the measures and actions taken by the HKSAR Government in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government strongly disapproved of such acts.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “Acts and activities endangering national security could bring very serious consequences. Prompt actions must be taken to prevent and suppress such acts and activities effectively. According to Article 37 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), this Law shall apply to a person who is a permanent resident of the HKSAR or an incorporated or unincorporated body such as a company or an organisation which is set up in the HKSAR if the person or the body commits an offence under the HKNSL outside the HKSAR. Additionally, Article 38 of the HKNSL stipulates that this Law shall apply to offences under this Law committed against the HSKAR from outside the HKSAR by a person who is not a permanent resident of the HKSAR. Therefore, the Hong Kong Police Force has the responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, persons suspected of committing offences under the HKNSL outside Hong Kong.”

“The ‘Hong Kong Parliament’ is an organisation which aims to subvert state power; its objectives include promoting ‘self-determination’, promulgating the so-called ‘Hong Kong Constitution’, and overthrowing or undermining the basic system of the People’s Republic of China established by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China or overthrowing the body of the central power of People’s Republic of China or the body of power of the HKSAR with unlawful means, thereby suspected of having committed the offence of ‘Subversion’ contrary to Article 22 of the HKNSL. Thus, Police applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and put the persons involved on wanted list. Any acts disregarding the facts and smearing HKSAR’s work in safeguarding national security with untruthful remarks are hypocritical and irresponsible, and will not win any public support.”

“We have to stress that both the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication, and the freedoms of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applicable to the HKSAR are protected in accordance with the law. However, regarding an extremely small minority of organisations and individuals endangering national security, the HKSAR Government will not condone their criminal acts, and will not give up pursuing them, including adopting all practical measures to bring those fugitives endangering national security who have absconded from Hong Kong to justice.”

The spokesman emphasised, “Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law. No country or organisation should harbour criminals nor try to exonerate these people with different excuses.”

“The Constitution and the Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people. Any attempt by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s situation will only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail. The HKSAR Government will continue to unwaveringly discharge its duty in safeguarding national security,” the spokesman reiterated.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 27) detected three drug trafficking cases involving air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and seized about 41 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $8.8 million.
 
The first case involved a 65-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 10kg, concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags in his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $2.2 million. The man was subsequently arrested. He has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 29).
 
In the second case, two female passengers, aged 57 and 63, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 10kg and 12kg, concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags in their respective check-in suitcases. The total estimated market value was about $4.7 million. The two persons were subsequently arrested. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 30-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case at HKIA yesterday. The three arrested persons have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow.
 
In the third case, two male passengers, aged 27 and 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 9kg of suspected cannabis buds were seized from one of their check-in suitcases. The estimated market value was about $1.9 million. They were subsequently arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities 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: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu were honoured to attend the Second and Third Handover Ceremony of the Distinguished Citizens Society International of New South Wales, Australia. On behalf of OCAC Minister Hsu Chia-Ching, DG Wu presented a congratulatory letter to Charles Lin, newly elected President of DCS NSW, and a certificate of appreciation to outgoing President Aven Lin for her dedication and leadership.
In his remarks, DG Wu recalled that the very first Taiwanese community event he attended upon assuming his post in 2023 was the joint handover ceremony of DCS NSW and Australia. At that time, Mr. Trenton Brown was a city councillor and the first elected official he met after arriving in Australia. He is pleased that Mr. Brown now serves as the Mayor of the City of Ryde.
He acknowledged that the work of DCS NSW has earned recognition from officials at all levels of the Australian government. TECO Sydney will continue to support and work with DCS to give back to the local community, showcasing the power of Taiwan’s goodwill and love. He also expressed the hope that DCS NSW can further enhance the connections between Taiwan and Australia, and play a meaningful role in advancing Taiwan’s international participation such as CPTPP.
Nearly 60 distinguished guests gathered to celebrate DCS NSW’s achievements and future, including DCS World Headquarters Chairperson Wen-Chen Lai, DCS Australia President Gary Shih, OCAC Council Member Johnson Hsiung, along with leaders from the Taiwanese community, NSW state parliament, and city councils. Among those present to witness the memorable moment were Shadow Assistant Minister for Multiculturalism Jordan Lane MP, Ryde City Mayor Trenton Brown, Willoughby Clr. Michelle Chuang, and Ku-ring-gai Clr. Barbara Ward.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government decided that Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, instead of Under Secretary for Housing Victor Tai, will take up the post of Secretary for Housing until tomorrow due to a sudden change of events.

Mr Tai was initially appointed as Acting Secretary during Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho’s leave from July 26 to August 11, but he had to take three days’ leave starting yesterday due to illness.

Given the sudden change of events and the absence of the Deputy Financial Secretary from Hong Kong, the Government decided that the post of Secretary for Housing should be taken up by Mr Cheuk for the three days.

To enhance governance, three Deputy Secretaries of Departments were created to strengthen co-ordination of work across bureaus, the Government noted.

The acting arrangement fully demonstrates the positive role of the Deputy Secretaries in facilitating the Government’s effective operation, reflecting the philosophy of improving governance through systematic enhancements as well as the flexibility and team spirit of Principal Officials in making a concerted effort, it added.