In Switzerland today (May 20, Geneva time), the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Vice-minister of the National Health Commission, Cao Xuetao; and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Chen Xu, to discuss the latest healthcare developments of the Mainland and Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's participation in World Health Organization (WHO)-related work.
Professor Lo briefed Cao and Chen on the latest healthcare-related developments in Hong Kong, including the progressive implementation of the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, published last December, which sets out a series of reform initiatives to strengthen the primary healthcare system in Hong Kong with a view to shifting the emphasis of Hong Kong's healthcare system from its current treatment-oriented, hospital-based structure to a prevention-focused, community-based system.
He said that the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to enhance public hospital services, increase the supply of healthcare manpower, drive further the development of Chinese medicine, and push forward healthcare cooperation between Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Professor Lo also introduced to Cao and Chen Hong Kong's participation in WHO-related work, among others. Major programs include the setting up of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence since 2012. Moreover, the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection has been designated as WHO reference laboratories for years.
Accompanying Professor Lo at the meeting included the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam. Professor Lo and Dr Lam will attend the 76th World Health Assembly as members of the Chinese delegation on May 21 and 22 (Geneva time).
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