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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (February 26) met with the visiting Vice-Minister of Health and Head of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) Healthcare Leading Group, Dr Chen Xiaohong, Deputy Director of the Games Services of BOCOG, Dr Dai Jianping, and other officials of the Ministry of Health to update them on Hong Kong's preparedness for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events with regard to public health and food safety.
Dr Chow noted that food safety, public health and medical services were crucial to the successful staging of the equestrian events.
"To ensure food safety in the course of the equestrian events, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Company Limited assume important responsibilities and roles.
"FEHD has adopted strategies to ensure food safety in the course of the equestrian events. FEHD also collaborates with the Department of Health (DH) in working out procedures for handling food poisoning. The number of standby staff will also be increased so that swift and prompt actions can be taken in case of any food incidents," he said.
Through the surveillance system, the department would be on the alert in preventing and controlling food-borne diseases.
On public health and medical services, the Director of Health, Dr Lam Ping-yan, has been appointed the Chief Medical Manager of the events. He will be responsible for coordinating public health related matters such as import of drugs, medical services, surveillance of infectious diseases, emergency response plans, etc.
During the competition and training period, the Hospital Authority (HA) will field medical teams to the Sha Tin and Beas River equestrian venues to provide medical services. The Prince of Wales Hospital will be designated as the hospital for the equestrian events, while the North District Hospital will be used as a back up for emergency care for the events at Beas River. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be the hospital for providing medical services to supporting non-athletes.
Dr Chow said the DH and the medical teams had put in place mechanisms and contingency measures to deal with public health and medical emergencies during the equestrian events.
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will do its best to safeguard food safety, provide quality medical services and prepare for the prevention and control of infectious diseases during the course of the equestrian events. This is to make sure that the first Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong will go smoothly," he added.
Dr Chen said: "Hosting the Olympics is a long-time dream of the Chinese. The seven cities in the Mainland and Hong Kong have a holy mission. We should spare no effort to prepare for the events, and attend to every detail in order to make the XXIX Olympics a success. At present, Hong Kong is well prepared to provide supporting services e.g. public health, medical services and food safety, up to the Olympics standard.
"Hong Kong is experienced in hosting large-scale events. With the advent of the equestrian events, I hope the Mainland and Hong Kong will enhance exchanges, especially in information flow, and learn from each other with a view to carrying out the work in the best way."
Dr Dai said he was satisfied with the contingency plans of medical services for the equestrian events. He said the BOCOG would continue its close ties with the DH and the medical teams to ensure the smooth running of the events, for the glory of both the Mainland and Hong Kong.
In the morning, the delegation visited the Centre for Health Protection of the DH to get a better understanding of the contingency plans for prevention and control of infectious diseases during the equestrian events. The delegation met with representatives of the FEHD in the afternoon to learn more about food safety strategies and preparatory work for the equestrian events.
HA Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu, and Chief Executive, Mr Shane Solomon, will brief the delegation on crisis management and co-ordination of contingency plans of medical services for the equestrian events. The Fire Services Department, Auxiliary Medical Service and Hong Kong St John Ambulance will also report the progress of the coordination of supporting medical services for the equestrian events.
Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:47
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