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Dr. Ronald Lam Leads Delegation to Beijing for Health Innovation and Cooperation Meetings

HK

Dr. Ronald Lam Leads Delegation to Beijing for Health Innovation and Cooperation Meetings
HK

HK

Dr. Ronald Lam Leads Delegation to Beijing for Health Innovation and Cooperation Meetings

2024-09-14 11:30 Last Updated At:11:38

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations

​Upon invitation of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission (BJHC), the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, led a delegation to attend working meetings with health authorities of Beijing together with representatives of the Hospital Authority. Dr Lam also attended the Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation of the2024 ChinaInternational Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), where he delivered a keynote speech, and participated in the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference.

During his meeting with the Party Committee Secretary of the BJHC, Mr Zhong Dongbo, Dr Lam reviewed the progress of key health and medical initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, including the application of innovation and technology in public health, the Department of Health's (DH) efforts in strengthening health services and interventions through a life course approach, and achievements in the digitalisation of communicable disease prevention and control measures, etc. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on standardisation of Chinese medicine and the development of maternal and child health services, agreeing to strengthen co-operation in medical innovation and technology.

Dr Lam emphasised that, "The strengths of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) healthcare system lie in its high-quality medical professionals and a comprehensive healthcare system and legal framework. Hong Kong is the only city in Asia with five world's Top 100 universities. Meanwhile, Beijing, a leader in healthcare, has the most Tier III Class A hospitals and national medical centres which rank first in the country, along with a wealth of diagnostic interventions and a diverse spectrum of specialised disease databases. Strengthening collaboration will enable both sides to join force in medical innovation research and seize opportunities for high-quality development of the nation's healthcare services by leveraging Hong Kong's unique role as a super connector, thereby contributing to the building of a healthy country which also stands tall in science and technology!"

This year's CIFTIS Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation focused on "Innovation Promotes Global Health Equity and Accessibility". In his keynote speech, Dr Lam introduced various strategies and measures the HKSAR Government is implementing to establish the city as an international medical innovation hub. He also shared the DH's public health innovation strategy, emphasising the importance of talent training, digital transformation, data management and fostering an innovative culture with a view to enhance convenience, enhance efficiency, and developing smart healthcare. This approach aligned with the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the goals set forth in the Policy Address by the HKSAR Government in pursuing a "Healthy Hong Kong".

During the visit to Beijing, the DH representatives also attended the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference and exchanged views with participants on global health management, establishment of services that promotes healthy aging, as well as innovations in artificial intelligence. The delegation also participated in the 7th Belt and Road Forum for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Development to report on TCM development. Afterwards, the delegation visited the National Cancer Centre to facilitate mutual understanding on the work and development of cancer prevention, screening, treatment and rehabilitation. Dr Lam also witnessed the DH and the Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, which is a subsidiary organisation under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, signing a Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines that covers a period of five years.

Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, and the Principal Medial Officer (Service and Manpower Planning), Dr Anne Chee, also joined the visit. The delegation will return to Hong Kong today (September 14).

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Jardine's Lookout today

​The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a detached house in Jardine's Lookout this morning (January 20), in which a man fell from a wooden folding ladder while installing an air-conditioner. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by his death and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the air-conditioning works at the detached house concerned. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

To protect workers' safety, the LD reminds contractors that ladders are usually used for ascending and descending only. Using ladders for work-above-ground is unsafe. Contractors shall provide and ensure that workers use appropriate working platforms or other safe means of support, including step platforms or hop-up platforms in conformity with international or national standards, instead of ladders.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

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