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:
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):
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.
Hong Kong soars in World Talent Ranking 2024
The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) published the World Talent Ranking 2024 today (September 19). Hong Kong's ranking rose visibly to nine, from 16 last year, returning to the top 10 for the first time since 2016.
Hong Kong improved across all three talent competitiveness factors in the Ranking as compared to last year. Its position rose from six to four in "readiness", and from 15 to 13 in "investment and development". Hong Kong's ranking in "appeal" also rose from 32 to 28. Among the indicators, Hong Kong topped the ranking in the percentage of graduates in sciences, and was among the global top five in the availability of finance skills, effectiveness of management education and remuneration of management.
A Government spokesperson said, "The return of Hong Kong to amongst the top 10 in the IMD's Ranking is clear evidence that the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in education and talent admission has made remarkable achievements. Hong Kong has a sound education infrastructure, world-renowned universities and outstanding research talent. The quality of our teaching and learning is ranked among the top in various international comparative studies. Moreover, the HKSAR Government announced in the 2022 Policy Address an array of admission measures to entice global talent to come to Hong Kong. These include the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which targets high-income talent and graduates from the world's top universities, as well as enhancement of various talent admission schemes to trawl for outside quality talent to enrich the local talent pool."
The spokesman said, "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address has set out clearly the strategic directions and objectives for enhancing the quality of education in Hong Kong, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an 'international post-secondary education hub and a cradle of future talent', nurturing a diversified talent pool, and enhancing Hong Kong's development momentum while promoting people-to-people exchanges and contributing to national development. On the other hand, as at end-August this year, over 360 000 applications were received under various talent admission schemes, with nearly 230 000 applications approved. During the same period, over 150 000 people of talent arrived in Hong Kong through various talent admission schemes. The arrivals of outside quality talent and their family members boost Hong Kong's labour force and inject new momentum into our local economy. The HKSAR Government established the Hong Kong Talent Engage in end-October 2023 to provide one-stop support services to incoming talent to enable their settlement in Hong Kong."
