HMRF Meeting Reviews Research Outcomes, Approves $184 Million for New Health Projects

Secretary for Health chairs 28th meeting of Research Council under Health Bureau

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the 28th meeting of the Research Council (RC) under the Health Bureau today (September 13) to review the research translation outcome of the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), discuss the research translation strategy and consider the funding applications for investigator-initiated research projects received during the period from last December to March this year.

Professor Lo said, "Through the provision of funding support for local medical and health-related research projects and training programmes, the HMRF has been adhering to its clear and unique position and mission to facilitate the application of local research outcomes in the formulation of healthcare policies, strengthening the healthcare system, enhancing healthcare services and promoting a healthy lifestyle for the public, thereby achieving the ultimate goal of improving citizens' health."

He stressed, "The HMRF attaches great importance to the translational value of the funded projects, and they have been yielding fruitful results in translating research into practice. Many funded projects were seen to have brought about positive influence on healthcare policies and practices. Researchers were effectively supported to create new knowledge in the biomedical and healthcare realm, and some of them were thereby able to secure additional funding for further development or implementation of their findings. I am also thrilled about the industrialisation potential of some HMRF-funded projects that were granted patents and licence fees. Spin-out companies were also established for individual HMRF-funded projects to raise funds with the goal of industrialising the research findings."

The RC was pleased to note the significant translation results and impacts of the HMRF-funded researches as revealed from the surveys conducted on 145 research projects and technology/knowledge transfer offices of universities in 2024. These include:

(i) 78 per cent of the funded projects had their research findings published in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing that the HMRF is effective in supporting knowledge generation;

(ii) 42 per cent of the funded projects received additional funding for further research, with each project receiving an additional funding amounting to five times that of the HMRF grant on average;

(iii) The HMRF-funded projects have filed 162 patent applications in different places (including the Mainland, Hong Kong, Europe, the United States and Japan), established 15 spin-out companies/ joint ventures/ incubation programmes and signed 11 collaboration agreements of various types, showcasing the industrialisation potential of these funded projects; and

(iv) In terms of application in the formulation of healthcare policies and practices, one of the government-commissioned research projects funded by HMRF successfully developed the sewage testing approach for quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2, providing an important indicator for the Government to keep track of the virus activity in the community during the COVID-19 epidemic. Relevant testing approach has been incorporated into the Government's routine Territory-wide Sewage Surveillance Programme, with the scope of sewage surveillance to be expanded to cover other infectious diseases such as seasonal influenza. This testing approach was further enhanced and adopted outside Hong Kong. Furthermore, the results of a longitudinal study on latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening found that repeated LTBI testing might be excessive for individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Such results were cited in the Recommendations on the Management of HIV and Tuberculosis Coinfection put forward by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health as guidelines.

At the meeting, the RC also discussed the newly proposed research translation strategy covering four priorities, namely: (i) to shape research translation culture; (ii) to build quality partnership; (iii) to promote end-of-grant translation; and (iv) to monitor and evaluate research outcomes. The newly proposed research translation strategy spans the entire research cycle, with a view to further enhancing the practical and translational value of the HMRF-funded researches.

Moreover, the RC considered the funding applications for investigator-initiated research projects under the HMRF received from last December to March this year and endorsed a funding commitment of $184 million involving 166 projects. The exact details will be released to the applicants in late September.

Professor Lo added, "With our commitment to supporting scientific research and innovation through the HMRF, the Government pledges to keep enhancing the breadth and depth of the research-driven culture to encourage the healthcare research sector to unleash new quality productive forces. We hope that researchers will continue to leverage the HMRF to amplify the value of their research projects into full play and usher in considerable and sustainable positive impacts on the community with their research outcomes. The HMRF will also support researchers in nurturing emerging and future industries that embrace Hong Kong's competitive edge to contribute to the city's development into an international health and medical innovation hub."

Chaired by the Secretary for Health, the Research Council comprises members including representatives and professors from two medical schools and healthcare-related disciplines of various universities as well as representatives from the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Department of Health, the University Grants Committee and the Hospital Authority. The Research Council provides strategic steer on funding for health and medical researches and health promotion projects and oversees the administration of the HMRF, including the allocation of funding for approved projects.

Secretary for Health chairs 28th meeting of Research Council under Health Bureau Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health chairs 28th meeting of Research Council under Health Bureau Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 18) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

"The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

"Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

The public should adopt the following precautions:

Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;

Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;

Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;

For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;

Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and

Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

​The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):

Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;

Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;

Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;

Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and

While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

​If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

​The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111),heat strokepage andUV radiationpage; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.