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.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Transport Department (TD) today (April 24) announced that the auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on May 10 (Saturday) at Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
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 Acting Chief Executive, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (April 24) met with members of a visiting ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee delegation to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, as well as discuss issues of mutual concern.
Mr Lam welcomed the delegation’s visit to Hong Kong and expressed his gratitude for the thoughtful arrangements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for fostering exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and ASEAN member states.
Noting that Hong Kong has maintained close trade and economic ties with ASEAN, Mr Lam said that ASEAN has long been Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner. Last month, the HKSAR Government launched the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons to promote economic and trade exchanges and cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and ASEAN by providing more convenient immigration arrangements for invited persons from ASEAN countries, furthering deepening ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN.
During the meeting, Mr Lam introduced the advantages and development opportunities of Hong Kong to the delegation members. He said that Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and has long played the important role of a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. As the only common law jurisdiction in China, Hong Kong has the unique advantage of having a well-established legal system alongside top-tier legal and dispute resolution services. Mr Lam encouraged enterprises from ASEAN member states to leverage Hong Kong as a platform to explore overseas and Mainland markets through its professional services, thereby achieving mutual benefits.
Mr Lam also thanked ASEAN member states for their continued support for Hong Kong’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. He said that he looks forward to strengthening collaborations with various places to help businesses explore more opportunities.
The delegation is visiting Hong Kong April 23 and 24, during which they will meet with Principal Officials of the HKSAR Government, the Legislative Council President, and representatives of other major institutions. The delegation will also visit Super Terminal 1 and the Legislative Council to learn about the latest developments in Hong Kong.
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
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches development works worth over Rs 13,480 crore in Madhubani, Bihar marking National Panchayati Raj Day In the last decade, several measures have been taken to empower Panchayats, Panchayats have been strengthened through technology: PM
The rural economy has gained new momentum in the last decade: PM
The past decade has been the decade of India’s infrastructure: PM
Makhana is a superfood for the country and the world today, but in Mithila it is a part of the culture,source for prosperity here: PM
The willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the back of the perpetrators of terror: PM
Terrorism will not go unpunished, Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done, The entire nation is firm in this resolve: PM
Posted On: 24 APR 2025 2:11PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 13,480 crore in Madhubani, Bihar today on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day. The Prime Minister appealed to everyone at the event to observe silence and pray for the departed souls in the Pahalgam attacks on 22 April 2025. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, he said that on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day, the entire nation is connected with Mithila and Bihar. He remarked that projects worth thousands of crores of rupees, aimed at Bihar’s development, have been inaugurated and foundations laid for, emphasising that these initiatives in electricity, railways, and infrastructure will create new employment opportunities in Bihar. He paid tributes to the great poet and national icon, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar Ji, on his death anniversary.
Remarking that Bihar is the land where Mahatma Gandhi expanded the mantra of Satyagraha, Shri Modi highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s firm belief that India’s rapid development is only possible when its villages are strong. He emphasized that the concept of Panchayati Raj was rooted in this sentiment. “Over the past decade, continuous steps have been taken to empower Panchayats. Technology has played a significant role in strengthening Panchayats, with over 2 lakh Gram Panchayats connected to the internet in the last decade”, he added. Shri Modi pointed out that more than 5.5 lakh Common Service Centers have been established in villages, underlining that the digitalization of Panchayats has brought additional benefits, such as easy access to documents like birth and death certificates, and landholding certificates. He remarked that while the nation received a new Parliament building after decades of independence, 30,000 new Panchayat Bhawans have also been constructed across the country. He also highlighted that ensuring adequate funds for Panchayats has been a priority for the government. “Over the past decade, Panchayats have received more than ₹2 lakh crore, all of which has been utilized for the development of villages”, he said.
Highlighting that one of the major issues faced by Gram Panchayats has been related to land disputes, the Prime Minister mentioned the frequent disagreements over which land is residential, agricultural, Panchayat-owned, or government-owned. He emphasized that to address this issue, the digitization of land records is being undertaken, which has helped resolve unnecessary disputes effectively.
Shri Modi underscored that Panchayats have strengthened social participation, remarking that Bihar was the first state in the country to provide 50% reservation for women in Panchayats. He emphasized that today, a significant number of women from economically weaker sections, Dalits, Mahadalits, backward, and extremely backward communities are serving as public representatives in Bihar, describing it as true social justice and genuine social participation. He underlined that democracy thrives and becomes stronger with greater participation. Reflecting this vision, Shri Modi noted that a law providing 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies has also been enacted. He remarked that this will benefit women across all states, giving our sisters and daughters greater representation.
Emphasising that the government is working in mission mode to increase women’s income and create new opportunities for employment and self-employment, Shri Modi highlighted the transformative impact of the ‘Jeevika Didi’ program in Bihar, which has changed the lives of many women. He remarked that today, self-help groups of women in Bihar have been provided financial assistance of approximately ₹1,000 crore, noting that this will further strengthen the economic empowerment of women and contribute to the goal of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis across the country. He highlighted that the rural economy has gained new momentum over the past decade. He pointed out that villages have seen the construction of houses for the poor, roads, gas connections, water connections, and toilets, bringing lakhs of crores of rupees to rural areas. The Prime Minister remarked that new employment opportunities have been created, benefiting laborers, farmers, vehicle operators, and shopkeepers, providing them with new avenues for income. He emphasized that this has particularly benefited communities that have been deprived for generations. He cited the example of the PM Awas Yojana, which aims to ensure that no family in the country remains homeless and that everyone has a permanent roof over their heads. He noted that over the past decade, more than 4 crore permanent houses have been constructed under this scheme. He highlighted that in Bihar alone, 57 lakh poor families have received permanent houses. He remarked that these houses have been provided to families from economically weaker sections, Dalits, and backward and extremely backward communities like Pasmanda families. Shri Modi announced that in the coming years, 3 crore more permanent houses will be provided to the poor. He noted that today, approximately 1.5 lakh families in Bihar are moving into their new permanent homes. He said that across the country, 15 lakh poor families have been issued approval letters for the construction of new houses, including 3.5 lakh beneficiaries from Bihar. He highlighted that today, financial assistance has been sent to approximately 10 lakh poor families for their permanent houses, including 80,000 rural families and 1 lakh urban families from Bihar.
“The past decade has been a decade of infrastructure development for India”, said the Prime Minister, highlighting that this modern infrastructure is strengthening the foundation of a developed India. He noted that for the first time, over 12 crore rural families have received tap water connections in their homes, underlining that more than 2.5 crore households have been electrified, and those who never imagined cooking on gas stoves have now received gas cylinders. “Even in challenging regions like Ladakh and Siachen, where providing basic facilities is difficult, 4G and 5G mobile connections have now been established, reflecting the nation’s current priorities”, he pointed out. The Prime Minister highlighted advancements in healthcare, noting that institutions like AIIMS were once limited to major cities like Delhi. He announced that AIIMS is now being established in Darbhanga, and the number of medical colleges in the country has nearly doubled in the past decade and mentioned the construction of a new medical college in Jhanjharpur. He emphasized that to ensure quality healthcare in villages, over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country, including more than 10,000 in Bihar. He remarked that Jan Aushadhi Kendras have become a significant relief for the poor and middle class, offering medicines at an 80% discount. He noted that Bihar now has over 800 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, saving its people ₹2,000 crore in medical expenses. The Prime Minister highlighted that under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, lakhs of families in Bihar have received free treatment, resulting in savings of thousands of crores of rupees for these families.
“India is rapidly advancing its connectivity through infrastructure like railways, roads, and airports”, highlighted Shri Modi, noting that metro projects are underway in Patna, and over two dozen cities across the country are now connected with metro facilities. He announced the launch of the ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail’ service between Patna and Jaynagar, which will significantly reduce travel time between the two locations, and emphasized that this development will benefit lakhs of people from Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Begusarai.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the inauguration and launch of multiple new railway lines in Bihar, highlighting the commencement of the modern Amrit Bharat train service between Saharsa and Mumbai, which will greatly benefit the labor families. He remarked that the government is modernizing several railway stations in Bihar, including Madhubani and Jhanjharpur. He emphasized that air connectivity in Mithila and Bihar has improved significantly with Darbhanga Airport, and the expansion of Patna Airport is underway. “These development projects are creating new employment opportunities in Bihar”, he added.
“Farmers are the backbone of the rural economy, the stronger this backbone, the stronger the villages, and consequently, the nation”, said Shri Modi. He highlighted the persistent challenges of floods in the Mithila and Kosi regions, noting that the government is set to invest ₹11,000 crore to mitigate the impact of floods in Bihar. He said that this investment will facilitate the construction of dams on rivers such as Bagmati, Dhar, Budhi Gandak, and Kosi, adding that canals will be developed, ensuring irrigation arrangements through river water. “This initiative will not only reduce flood-related issues but will also ensure adequate water supply reaches every farmer’s field”, he added.
“Makhana, a cultural staple of Mithila, has now gained global recognition as a superfood”, highlighted Shri Modi, mentioning that makhana has been granted a GI tag, officially certifying it as a product of this region. He added that the Makhana Research Centre has been accorded national status. He also highlighted the Budget announcement of the Makhana Board, which is expected to transform the fortunes of makhana farmers, emphasising that Bihar’s makhana will now reach international markets as a superfood. He noted that the National Institute of Food Technology and Management is being established in Bihar, which will support the youth in setting up small enterprises related to food processing. He further emphasized that Bihar is making consistent progress in fisheries along with agriculture, highlighting that fishermen now have access to the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card, providing advantages to numerous families involved in fisheries. He remarked that under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, projects worth hundreds of crores have been executed in Bihar.
Expressing deep sorrow over the brutal killing of innocent civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, Shri Modi remarked that the entire nation is distressed and stands in solidarity with the grieving families. He assured that every effort is being made by the government to ensure the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment. He highlighted the profound loss suffered by families, where some lost their sons, brothers, or life partners, noting that the victims came from diverse linguistic and regional backgrounds—some spoke Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Gujarati, and some were from Bihar. Underlining that from Kargil to Kanyakumari, the grief and outrage over this attack are shared equally across the nation, Shri Modi remarked that this attack was not just on unarmed tourists but was a brazen assault on the soul of India. “The terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination”, he declared in unequivocal terms, asserting that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism. “The willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror”, he stressed.
The Prime Minister declared from the soil of Bihar that India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist, their handlers, and their backers, emphasising that India will pursue them to the ends of the earth. “India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism and terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure justice is served and the entire nation is firm in this resolve against terrorism”, he stressed. He further stated that everyone who believes in humanity stands with India during these times. He expressed his gratitude to the people and leaders of various countries who have supported India in these moments.
“Peace and security are the most critical prerequisites for rapid development”, said Shri Modi, remarking that a developed Bihar is essential for a developed India. He concluded by highlighting that efforts are being made to ensure development in Bihar and to extend the benefits of progress to every section and every region of the state. He expressed gratitude to everyone for joining the program on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day.
The Governor of Bihar, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Shri Jitan Ram Manji, Shri Giriraj Singh, Shri Chirag Paswan, Shri Nityanand Rai, Shri Ram Nath Thakur, Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
Prime Minister participated in the National Panchayati Raj Day programme in Madhubani, Bihar. He also presented National Panchayat Awards, recognizing and incentivizing best-performing Panchayats on the occasion.
Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of an LPG bottling plant with rail unloading facility at Hathua in Gopalganj District of Bihar worth around Rs 340 crore. This will help in streamlining the supply chain and improving efficiency of bulk LPG transportation.
Boosting power infrastructure in the region, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 1,170 crore and also inaugurated multiple projects worth over Rs 5,030 crore in the power sector in Bihar under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
In line with his commitment to boost rail connectivity across the nation, Prime Minister flagged off Amrit Bharat express between Saharsa and Mumbai, Namo Bharat Rapid rail between Jaynagar and Patna and trains between Pipra and Saharsa and Saharsa and Samastipur. He also inaugurated the Supaul Pipra rail line, Hasanpur Bithan Rail line and two 2-lane Rail over bridges at Chapra and Bagaha. He dedicated to the nation the Khagaria-Alauli Rail line. These projects will improve connectivity and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region.
Prime Minister distributed benefits of around Rs 930 crore under Community Investment Fund to over 2 lakh SHGs from Bihar under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY- NRLM).
Prime Minister handed over sanction letters to 15 lakh new beneficiaries of PMAY-Gramin and released instalments to 10 lakh PMAY-G beneficiaries from across the country. He also handed over keys to some beneficiaries marking the Grih Pravesh of 1 lakh PMAY-G and 54,000 PMAY-U houses in Bihar.
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
Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign on the occasion of World Immunization Week Measles-Rubella elimination campaign 2025-26 marks an opportunity to achieve 100% immunization coverage to provide high quality life to children by administering them with two doses of Measles and Rubella vaccine: Shri J P Nadda
“332 districts across the country have reported zero Measles cases and 487 districts have reported zero Rubella cases during January- March 2025 which underscores the progress achieved in the goal of M-R elimination”
“With the ‘ACT NOW’ policy, we have to target the elimination of M-R in the same way as Polio and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination was achieved, so that no child is left behind”
Currently India’s MR vaccination coverage stands at 93.7% for the first dose and 92.2% for the second dose, as per 2024-25 HMIS data
Posted On: 24 APR 2025 2:26PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda today virtually launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination campaign 2025-26 on the first day of the World Immunization Week (24-30 April), marking a significant step towards India’s goal of eliminating Measles and Rubella by 2026.
On the occasion, Union Health Minister released multi-language M-R IEC materials (posters, radio jingles, MR elimination and official U-WIN launch film) for creating awareness in the communities. These IEC materials were also shared with all States/UTs for adaptation and rollout during the MR Elimination Campaign 2025-26.
Addressing the occasion, Shri J P Nadda stated that, “today is momentous occasion as the launch of Measles-Rubella elimination campaign 2025-26 marks an opportunity to achieve 100% immunization coverage to provide high quality lifestyle to children by administering them with the two doses of Measles and Rubella vaccine.” Noting that this disease is of a highly contagious nature that hampers not only children’s life but also cause misery to their parents, Shri Nadda underlined the importance of ensuring that not even a single child is left behind.
The Union Health Minister congratulated the Ministry for getting recognition with the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award by the Measles and Rubella Partnership in 2024. He highlighted that “332 districts in the country have reported zero measles cases and 487 districts have reported zero rubella cases during January- March 2025 which underscores the progress achieved in the goal of M-R elimination.”
Shri Nadda highlighted the need for keeping the IDSP activated and strengthening surveillance. “We have to target the elimination of M-R in the same way as Polio and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination was achieved”, he stated. He urged the states and UTs to be attentive, alert, and proactive and work with a ‘ACT NOW’ policy.
Shri Nadda also urged the State Ministers and Chief Medical Officers to hold public and press meetings where people at large can be informed about the vaccination drive through active Jan Bhagidari. He also called upon States for an inclusive participation of all MLAs, MPs, local and Panchayat heads to spread awareness about the vaccination against Measles and Rubella. He also urged the frontline workers to reach out to remote and hard to reach areas, slums, migratory population, areas with frequent outbreaks. “We have to reach out to people in the last mile to ensure that we achieve 100% coverage”, he stated. He also emphasized on the need for coordinating with line ministries. He concluded his address by stating that “if we work and act from today, we will be able to achieve success tomorrow.”
Background:
Measles and Rubella are highly infectious viral diseases that can lead to serious illnesses, lifelong complications, and even death. Due to their high infection rate, India has set a goal to eliminate these diseases by 2026. Under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), two doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine are provided free of cost to all eligible children, at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age, respectively. Currently, India’s MR vaccination coverage stands at 93.7% for the first dose (2024-25 HMIS data) and 92.2% for the second dose.
In 2024, India has recorded a remarkable decline of 73% in Measles cases and a 17% reduction in Rubella cases in comparison with 2023.
India’s plan for eliminating measles and rubella includes a comprehensive framework:
Immunization: Achieve and maintain high population immunity with > 95% vaccination coverage with 2 doses of measles and rubella containing vaccines in each district of the country.
Surveillance: Sustain a sensitive and timely case-based surveillance system for measles & rubella.
Outbreaks: Ensure adequate preparedness and timely response to measles and rubella outbreaks.
Linkages: Strengthen support and linkages to achieve the above strategic objectives.
Demand Generation for Vaccination: Focused mass awareness campaigns to mitigate the risks of non-vaccination and dispel myths related to MR vaccine for addressing vaccine hesitancy and increasing coverage.
In recognition of country’s exceptional efforts in prevention of Measles and Rubella, India was awarded the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award by the Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C. on March 6, 2024.
Under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), India runs world’s largest vaccination programme for pregnant women and children – reaching out to 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore newborns annually. This provides protection against 12 vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) such as Polio, Measles, Rubella, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Rotavirus diarrhoea, Hepatitis B among others. U-WIN digital platform for vaccination, launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister is being utilized extensively to record vaccination events, generate vaccination certificate and book appointment for vaccination across the country.
India’s Universal Immunization Programme, has been instrumental in reducing mortality rates and controlling infectious diseases among children under five years of age. From 2014 to 2020, under-5 mortality rates dropped from 45 to 32 per 1,000 live births (Sample Registration System – 2020). Since 2014, under UIP, over 6 new vaccines have been introduced including MR vaccine.
Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary; Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Dept. of Health Research and DG, ICMR; Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Addl. Secretary and Mission Director (NHM), Union Health Ministry; Smt. Meera Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, Additional Commissioner (Immunization), Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries (Health), Mission Directors (NHM) and State Immunization Officers from States/UTs had joined the virtual launch event.
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HFW/HFM MR Elimination Campaign Launch/24 April 2025/1
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender results of 1-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds A total of RMB1.5 billion 1-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB11.140 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 7.43. The average price accepted is 100.05, implying an annualised yield of 1.686 per cent.
HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
Tender results of 1-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
Tender Date* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.
Note: The yields stated above are annualised yields. For reference, the semi-annualised yields corresponding to the average price accepted, lowest price accepted, and average tender price are 1.679 per cent, 1.710 per cent, and 1.796 per cent respectively. Issued at HKT 16:56
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
In support of World Immunisation Week organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the last week of April every year, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 24) reminded the public that timely vaccinations can safeguard individual and community health from serious threats posed by vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Immunisation is a safe and effective public health measure. Over the past 50 years, vaccines are effective against diseases that have saved more than 150 million lives worldwide. Hong Kong has long been providing vaccinations for children since the 1950s. Building on the WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation and scientific evidence, the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme has been making continuous progress in terms of vaccine variety, vaccination schedules and service network coverage. With the support of parents, schools and the healthcare sector, Hong Kong maintains a very high vaccination coverage rate, which not only keeps most of the vaccine-preventable diseases under control, but also contributed to the eradication of smallpox and poliomyelitis in Hong Kong in 1980 and 2000 respectively, followed by successful elimination of measles and rubella (German measles) in Hong Kong in 2016 and 2021 respectively. In addition, the DH has been actively adopting a public-private partnership approach in providing vaccination services through private doctors to help parents and children receive the vaccines to increase the overall vaccination coverage. Taking the seasonal influenza vaccine as an example, the uptake rate of the vaccine for most age groups in the current season has increased as compared with the previous one,” the Controller of the CHP of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui said.
The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the CHP makes recommendations on vaccines for different groups (e.g. children, pregnant women, the elderly etc) based on local epidemiology and the latest scientific evidence from a public health perspective. With reference to the recommendations of the SCVPD, the Government provides different types of vaccines and boosters for children from birth to Primary Six to protect them from 12 communicable diseases, as well as other vaccination services such as seasonal influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccines for people in high-risk groups to boost their immunity and reduce the risk of infection or severe complications.
“Due to a drop in vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a recent resurgence of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases outside Hong Kong. For example, measles cases in Europe, the United States and neighboring countries, such as Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia, are on the rise, where children who have not yet completed their vaccinations or have unknown vaccination status were mainly affected. For pertussis, the number of cases reported in Japan, the United States and New Zealand this year are also higher than that of the same period in previous years, with most of the affected cases being infants and adolescents, underscoring the importance of timely vaccinations for maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity,” Dr Tsui said.
He reminded the public to make sure that they have completed their required immunisation if they plan to visit places with outbreaks or high incidences of vaccine-preventable diseases. Anyone who has not completed immunisation or with an unknown vaccination history should consult his/her family doctor at least two weeks before travelling.
The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. While for pertussis, the infected person may initially be sneezing and have a runny nose, a low-grade fever and a mild cough. The cough gradually becomes more severe and may even lead to seizures and coma in severe cases. If such symptoms appear after returning from places where measles and pertussis are endemic, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
For more information on the World Immunisation Week 2025, please visit the CHP website.