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DH reminds parents to register children for three key services in new school year: annual health assessments, school dental care and seasonal influenza vaccinations 
Student Health Service
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     Children and adolescents undergo rapid physical and psychological development during their primary and secondary school years. To safeguard healthy growth, the Student Health Service (SHS) under the DH provides comprehensive annual health assessments for all primary and secondary students in Hong Kong. Services include growth monitoring; screenings for vision, hearing and scoliosis; physical examination; health assessment questionnaires on health behaviours and psychosocial well-being; individual health counselling; health education; and mop-up vaccinations. Some potential health issues of adolescents may sometimes be difficult for their parents to detect in daily life. Through a series of assessments, the DH helps parents understand their children’s health conditions early on and identify potential health risks. The Special Assessment Services of the SHS under the DH has optometrists, audiologists, dietitians and clinical psychologists who provide further assessments for students. Students in need are also referred to specialist clinics or other appropriate institutions for assessment and follow-up services if necessary. This comprehensive approach safeguards students’ physical and mental health.
 
     Participation in the health assessment service each year enhances students’ health awareness and health literacy, helping them better manage their health conditions, and cope with the physical and mental challenges of adolescent development, academic pursuits and growing up.
 
     During the 2024/25 school year, approximately 19 000 students (accounting for 4.3 per cent of the total student population) who received the DH’s annual health assessment service were referred to the Hospital Authority for further assessment due to various health issues. Reasons for referral mainly included growth and development, such as weight (obesity or being underweight), vision, hearing and scoliosis.
 
School Dental Care Service
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     In the 2024/25 school year, approximately 310 000 students participated in the SDCS and over 90 per cent of participants were rendered dentally fit after receiving the services. The Government’s Report of Oral Health Survey 2021 revealed that, compared globally, the tooth decay status of permanent teeth among 12-year-old students in Hong Kong was at a highly satisfactory level, with a very low proportion of untreated decayed tooth and almost no missing teeth, demonstrating the effectiveness of the SDCS in prevention, early detection and early treatment of tooth decay.
 
Enrolment methods
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     In the 2025/26 school year, a total of 293 000 primary students participated in both the SHS and the SDCS, accounting for approximately 91 per cent of all primary students in Hong Kong. Among secondary students, 230 000 participated in the SHS, with a participation rate of approximately 66 per cent.
 
     The DH earnestly encourages parents to enrol their children in the above two services mentioned above. For enquiries regarding the enrolment methods, please contact the service units listed below or visit the websites:
 
Student Health Service           Tel: 2856 9133
                                            Website: www.studenthealth.gov.hk 
School Dental Care Service     Tel: 2928 6132
                                            Website: www.schooldental.gov.hk 
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme
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LD further enhances Heat Stress at Work Warning system      
     To cope with the extremely hot weather due to climate change, the LD has promptly reviewed and enhanced the existing HSWW system on top of its original functions to enhance the warning alert under abnormally high temperatures.
      
     The enhanced system will introduce two new conditions for triggering different levels of HSWW. First, when the “Extremely Hot Weather” Special Alert issued by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) is in effect, the monitoring threshold for triggering a higher level of warning will be lowered, enabling the early activation of a higher level of warning. Second, when the measured temperatures generally over Hong Kong reach 35 degrees Celsius or above, apart from lowering the monitoring threshold for triggering a warning, the warning level will be raised by one level automatically (i.e. from Amber Warning to Red Warning, or from Red Warning to Black Warning), in order to alert the public of the health risks of heat stress when working under abnormally high temperatures. For details of the enhanced system, please refer to the annex.
      
     Since the establishment of the HSWW system in 2023, the LD has maintained communication with stakeholders and listened to their views. The LD has also continuously reviewed and enhanced the system as appropriate by making reference to information and advice provided by other departments, including the HKO, to suit the actual circumstances of Hong Kong. Since 2024, when the HKO issues the “Extremely Hot Weather” Special Alert, the LD will issue an Amber Warning even if the index has not reached the level for issuing the HSWW, to take into account the hot weather conditions. From this April, in addition to using the Hong Kong Heat Index measured at the monitoring station at King’s Park, the LD has added the indices measured at the other nine locations as issuing criteria of the HSWW, enhancing the coverage and sensitivity of the system. After the launch of the enhanced system, the LD will continue to review the operation of the system and make improvements, such as studying whether to include other monitoring data, for example, the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, as one of the indicators of the system.
      
     The enhancement of the system will not impose additional work for employers and employees. They should continue to pay heed to the level of the HSWW issued by the LD and make corresponding work arrangements. Employers shall conduct heat-stress risk assessments for employees working in hot environments, and based on the assessment results and the risks of heat stroke faced by employees at different levels of the HSWW, implement the heat stroke prevention measures recommended in the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work      
     The LD also encourages and motivates employers to arrange on-site heat-stress risk assessments, taking into account the special circumstances of their work nature and workplace (such as geographical locations and specific working environments). They can also seek assistance from occupational health professionals, and take appropriate preventive measures based on the results to reduce the risk of heat stroke at work.
      
     The LD reminds employers that they may face prosecution if they endanger the health of employees without providing suitable heat stroke prevention measures. The LD also enhances inspections and enforcement actions targeting workplaces with a higher risk of heat stroke to safeguard the occupational safety and health (OSH) of employees.
      
     Employees should also pay attention to their own physical condition and inform their employer if they feel unwell. When necessary, they can call the LD’s OSH complaint hotline at 2542 2172 or submit an online OSH complaint form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ld0001/en/      
     The LD disseminates the HSWW levels to members of public through multiple channels, including the “iAm Smart” and “My Observatory” mobile applications, government press releases, the HKO’s official website, and major media platforms. For the HSWW and related guidelines, please refer to the LD’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htmIssued at HKT 14:00

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament 2026 successfully concludes      
     Tailored specifically for the industry, the training course covers common cyber attacks and defence techniques, and features an agentic artificial intelligence module to help participants understand the latest defence strategies and risk management, while preparing them for cybersecurity safeguarding in upcoming large-scale events. At the same time, the competition also brings together industry and academic elites to compete, comprehensively testing their crisis management and incident response capabilities.
      
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chief Superintendent of the CSTCB, Mr Lam Cheuk-ho, said that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to unprecedented cybersecurity risks and governance challenges, especially with criminals utilising AI to launch cyberattacks. Consequently, the industry must adapt dynamically by refining technology governance strategies and proactive defence mechanisms. This training helps enhance the industry’s response capabilities and ensure the cybersecurity levels of organisations.
      
     Acting Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure) of the DPO, Ms Cari Wu, said that cybersecurity serves as the solid cornerstone for advancing the digital economy and smart-city development. To build a robust digital defence line while balancing security and development, talent is an indispensable element. The DPO will continue to work closely with industry partners to establish a comprehensive talent-development ecosystem.
      
     The event successfully attracted over 100 organisations and a total of 200 industry professionals to participate in the attack-and-defence training. The competition also attracted more than 660 teams, involving a total of 1,500 talented participants from industry and academia. It is believed that these efforts will deepen cross-sector collaboration and fully enhance Hong Kong’s overall cybersecurity defence capabilities.
Issued at HKT 20:41

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Working Group on Patriotic Education holds fourth meeting  
     The Chairman of the CBLPSC and Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has always attached great importance to promoting patriotic education and endeavours to building mainstream values characterised by patriotism with affection for our country and Hong Kong and in conformity with the principle of “one country, two systems” in the HKSAR. It seeks to strengthen education on our country’s history, culture and current affairs on different fronts, thereby promoting patriotism and ensuring its continuity from generation to generation, fostering a sense of patriotism among the public and enhancing national confidence and pride.

   “Over the past two years, the HKSAR Government has worked in close collaboration with the Working Group, successfully bringing together patriotic forces from the Government and various sectors of society. The Government and the Working Group have worked hand in hand to carry out a great deal of solid work on patriotic education and achieved fruitful results. I am delighted to see that the spirit of patriotism has now taken root in society and people’s hearts, and that the patriotic and Hong Kong-loving atmosphere within the community has also improved significantly.”
 
     Mr Chan said that in the past year, relevant government bureaux and departments, on the one hand, made good use of special festive and commemorative occasions such as the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang’s water supply to Hong Kong and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, to organise various commemorative and celebration events which were very positive and well received by all sectors of society. On the other hand, the Government has taken forward a number of medium and long-term measures for comprehensive patriotic education in different aspects, namely school education, local community, history, politics, economy and culture, as well as publicity in the media.
 
     “From the second half of this year, there will be a number of special festive occasions, commemorative dates and events, including the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army’s Long March and the 160th anniversary of the birthday of Dr Sun Yat-sen, and Hong Kong will also mark the 30th anniversary of its return to the motherland next year. Hong Kong’s first payload expert is currently participating in the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission. The HKSAR Government will seize and make good use of these opportunities to launch a series of patriotic education activities. It aims to let Hong Kong citizens gain a deeper understanding of the country’s history and present achievements, as well as how Hong Kong can fully integrate into and serve the overall national development, thereby enhancing their sense of national identity and affection for and sense of belonging to the country,” Mr Chan added.
 
     At the meeting, Mr Chan welcomed the new Convenor of the Working Group, Dr Eliza Chan, and the four new members. He also expressed thanks to the former Convenor, Dr Starry Lee, for her contributions to the Working Group. He said, “I look forward to continuing to work closely with all members to deepen discussions and explore more innovative, diverse and practical proposals for patriotic education that are tailored to Hong Kong’s actual circumstances, and to promote the Working Group’s efforts to bring together the strengths of the Government and all sectors of society to strengthen patriotic education at various levels and across different fields.”
 
     The Working Group is responsible for advising the Government on the overall programme and strategy for promoting patriotic education, the implementation of related work, co-ordination and collaboration between government departments and non-governmental organisations, as well as other relevant matters. The Working Group comprises the relevant Directors of Bureaux and Heads of Departments and leaders from the relevant sectors of society. In May this year, the Government appointed Dr Eliza Chan as the new Convenor of the Working Group and the four new members, which further strengthened the power of the Working Group and enhanced the connectivity between the Government and all sectors of society.
Issued at HKT 20:12

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SJ leads cross-professional delegation to promote Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution services in Kazakhstan 
     The seminar is co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), attracting more than 160 representatives from local legal and business sectors to attend. The First Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Umiraliyev Zhandos Zhanibekovich; the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Almaty, Mr Su Fangqiu; and Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC Ms Anna Cheung delivered speeches at the seminar.
 
     Entitled “Hong Kong – A Premier Financial Hub with Common Law Advantages – Your Indispensable Partner for Global Success”, the panel discussion was moderated by the Head of Business and Professional Services of Invest Hong Kong, Mr Herman Tse. The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, introduced Hong Kong’s status as the global gateway under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Executive Director of the Financial Services Development Council, Dr Rocky Tung, then presented the latest developments of Hong Kong as a leading international financial centre. Representatives from Hong Kong legal, arbitration and accounting sectors also illustrated the distinctive role of Hong Kong’s common law system in corporate finance and investment protection, its business-friendly tax system, and the latest developments of the arbitration regime during the panel discussion.
 
     Upon arriving in Almaty yesterday (August 25, Almaty time), Mr Lam and the delegation met with the representative of a local Chinese Mainland law firm to have a better understanding of the latest developments of the local legal service sector. Mr Lam also introduced the DoJ’s initiatives to promote Hong Kong’s legal services and to co-ordinate with financial, accounting and other professional services in supporting Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding overseas, and discussed with representatives the common legal issues that enterprises encounter while going global. They then met with representatives from the chamber of commerce of Shaanxi in Kazakhstan to learn more about the latest developments of Chinese Mainland enterprises in Kazakhstan, and to promote Hong Kong’s professional services to enterprises from the Chinese Mainland and Kazakhstan, to leverage Hong Kong as a major gateway for venturing into international markets.
 
     Mr Lam and the delegation will depart for Uzbekistan this afternoon to continue their visit.
Issued at HKT 18:42

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