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Following is a transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media stand-up session after attending the opening ceremony of the Food Safety Day 2011 cum "Live It, Use It" Nutrition Labelling Promotion Award Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony jointly held by the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Education Bureau today (July 8):
Reporter: (About priority in the quota system given to non-local pregnant women married to Hong Kong men.)
Secretary for Food and Health: Since we recognised that among the non-Hong Kong pregnant women category, some (of them) are married to Hong Kong men, we feel that there is a consideration of giving them some priority in the quota system although they are non-entitled patients of the Hospital Authority. They should be given a slightly better priority regarding the quota in the private medical sector. We have negotiated with the Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association and some of the hospitals. They are willing to set aside, among the 31,000 quota each year, about 7,000 for this type of pregnant women.
Reporter: How can the hospitals distinguish the identities of pregnant women?
Secretary for Food and Health: I think there is no authority within the hospital services, both public and private, to validate any certification of marriage. But we entrust the hospitals to decide among themselves what is the best way to recognise this group of families. If they got married in Hong Kong, they should have a marriage certificate and the identity card of the husband. I think this is also a way of recognising them. If the hospitals feel that this is sufficient, they might actually give them the discretion.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, July 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:27
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