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

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

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.