The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) and the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) signed a collaborative agreement today (December 8) to promote exchange and co-operation, thereby strengthening the mutual collaboration and development.
 
     "The Hospital Authority (HA) and the HKU-SZH signed the first collaborative agreement in 2015. Building on this solid foundation, QMH and the HKU-SZH will augment the partnership and strengthen collaboration to benefit patients of both places," said the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, at the signing ceremony.
 
     The Hospital Chief Executive of QMH, Dr Theresa Li, and the Hospital Chief Executive of the HKU-SZH, Professor Kenneth Cheung, signed a three-year agreement to outline the direction for future collaboration. "The two hospitals highlight various objectives in six areas, including talent training, exchange by the two management, academic exchange, innovation and technology, quality and safety, and clinical development. By promoting complementary advantages, we hope to jointly enhance the level of medical services in both places," Dr Li said.
 
     The two hospitals will implement various measures including regularising exchange programmes for specialists, facilitating regular visits by the management, and organising joint academic conferences to promote clinical experience sharing in professional development. Regarding the application of innovation and technology as well as quality and safety, both hospitals will mutually learn from each other to enhance standards. The two hospitals will also promote sharing of technologies in the management of rare and complex diseases, so as to meet the diverse service needs of the society.
 
     "The HKU-SZH is an important platform for Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-operation. We will take advantage of this collaborative agreement to learn the operational experiences of QMH in medical, educational, research, and management aspects. We aim to enhance interaction and exchange between the two sides and play a bridging role in Shenzhen-Hong Kong medical collaboration. By exploring high-level hospital co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, we hope to meet the healthcare service needs of residents in the Greater Bay Area," Professor Cheung added.
 
      "QMH and the HKU-SZH are both teaching hospitals of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed). I am delighted to see the signing of this collaborative agreement between the two hospitals, which is yet another important initiative to strengthen healthcare co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. By doing so, we will not only enjoy strong complementarity, but can also jointly offer high-quality healthcare services to further promote cross-border medical integration and innovation, ultimately improving the health and well-being of all people," said the Dean of HKUMed, Professor Lau Chak-sing.
 
     QMH and the HKU-SZH will form a Committee according to the agreement to meet regularly and discuss comprehensive project proposals, aiming to promote the development of medical and healthcare services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 

Ends/Friday, December 8, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:25

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