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The newly renovated Health Education Hall of the Department of Health (DH) was re-opened today (May 22) with upgraded facilities to provide free and more convenient services to the public.
The hall will provide a large variety of health promotion materials, such as publications and audio-visual information for public viewing. Five computers will be provided for visitors to access related websites worldwide.
It will also provide a free lending service for exhibition materials to encourage the organisation of health promotion activities. For the benefit of office workers, it will operate even during lunch hours.
Housed on the seventh floor of Southorn Centre in Wan Chai, the hall is managed by the department's Central Health Education Unit (CHEU).
In line with the department's motto of "Partnership in Health", the upgraded facilities are part of the department's efforts to promote good health practice in the community, according to Dr Ray Choy, Head of the CHEU.
"The hall will be open to the public free of charge. Visitors can access multi-media databases online and browse through various kinds of health pamphlets in a comfortable environment.
"Publications produced by the CHEU and related journals on health promotion are available for reading. Members of the public can also watch the CHEU's video programmes in the hall," he said.
Dr Choy said five computers were newly set up in the Health Zone of the hall to enable visitors to gain free access to worldwide websites and databases on health promotion.
Individuals and organisations wishing to use the computers need to register in advance by filling in simple application forms and sending them by post/fax/email to CHEU or bringing them in in person.
Exhibition boards on six themes, namely, communicable diseases, nutrition, physical activity, injury prevention, mental health and tobacco control are also on display in the hall.
The CHEU will also take note of the situation and display materials on health topics that are of public concern from time to time.
"As the hall is easily accessible, people working in the area can go there even during lunchtime to learn more about ways to promote their health," Dr Choy added.
Other services in the Health Education Hall include:
* A video screening: the department's Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) and TV drama series entitled "Medical Detective" jointly produced with Radio Television Hong Kong will be run non-stop on the plasma TV in the hall.
* Health information dispatch: visual materials on health education will be broadcast.
* Free lending service: exhibition boards, audio-visual information and printed materials can be reviewed and borrowed from service counters. These services are especially useful for schools and organisations holding health promotional activities and conducting topical research. Selected health materials are on sale there and the list can be found at http://www.cheu.gov.hk.
* Pamphlet distribution: a wide range of health education pamphlets and booklets are available for free collection.
Dr Choy said individuals or organisations were welcome to visit the hall to get or review the health promotion materials produced by the CHEU.
For enquiries, they can email enquiry@cheu.gov.hk, or call 2572 1476. More resources on health promotion can be found at the CHEU's Health Zone website (http://www.cheu.gov.hk), and by calling the 24-hour health education hotline (2833 0111).
The opening hours of the hall are from 8.30am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, including lunch hours, and from 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.
With effect from July 1, the opening hours will be extended to 6pm from Monday to Friday to tie in with the Government's five-day week scheme.
Ends/Monday, May 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:29
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