LegCo Panel on Health Services visits Hong Kong Genome Institute

2024-05-02 20:25 Last Updated At：20:38

Exploring cutting-edge health innovations: legco panel tours hong kong genome institute

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Health Services visited the Hong Kong Genome Institute (HKGI) in the Hong Kong Science Park today (May 2) to learn about the latest development of the Hong Kong Genome Project (HKGP).

Members received a briefing on the HKGP by the HKGI's Chairperson, Mr Philip Tsai; the Deputy Chairperson, Professor Raymond Liang; the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lo Su-vui, and the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Dr Brian Chung. The HKGP is the first large-scale genome sequencing project in Hong Kong. Since its full operation in 2021, the HKGI has been collaborating with the Department of Health, Hospital Authority and medical schools of universities, to help patients and their families, who join the project on a voluntary basis, look for the potential disease-causing genetic variants through whole genome sequencing analysis. They said that the HKGP aimed to establish a genome database of the local population, testing infrastructure and talent pool with a view to accelerating the development of genomic medicine and addressing the healthcare needs of Hong Kong in the long run. Members then exchanged views with the management team of the HKGI on the HKGP and the development of genomic medicine.

Members then toured the Genomic Laboratory. It is the first laboratory in Hong Kong that offers end-to-end whole genome sequencing services and equipped with advanced instruments for performing sequencing services, analysis and research.

Members who participated in the visit were the Panel Chairman Ms Chan Hoi-yan, the Deputy Chairman, Dr David Lam and Panel members Mr Chan Kin-por, Ms Lam So-wai, Mr Edward Leung, Mr Chan Pui-leung and Professor Chan Wing-kwong.

May 31 deadline for lodging proposals to alter rateable values

2024-05-17 16:00 Last Updated At：16:08

Last chance to submit proposals for rateable value changes - deadline may 31st!

The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (May 17) reminded members of the public that proposals to alter the rateable value of properties effective from April 1 this year must be served on the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation (the Commissioner) on the specified form (Form R20A) or specified electronic form (Form e-R20A) by May 31. Proposals served on the Commissioner after May 31 will not be accepted.

Members of the public can lodge a proposal by submitting an electronic form (Form e-R20A) using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the RVD website (www.rvd.gov.hk), or on a Form R20A available from the website. The completed Form R20A must be served on the Commissioner by personal service or by post. Proposals served by fax will not be accepted.

In respect of domestic tenements with 2024-25 rateable value over $550,000, the RVD already issued letters to individual payers concerned in mid-April, notifying them that the rates for the tenement with effect from the fourth quarter of 2024-25 (i.e. January to March 2025) may be charged in accordance with the progressive rates charge scale as proposed in the 2024-25 Budget. To enquire about the proposed progressive rating system for domestic tenements, members of the public may visit the RVD website or call the RVD's 24-hour hotline 2152 0111 (handled by 1823).

Notwithstanding the lodging of a proposal, payers of rates and Government rent must pay rates and Government rent by the last day for payment shown on the demand notes. The RVD will inform the proposers of its decisions before December 1. Any changes in rates and Government rent payable resulting from such decisions will date back to April 1 this year and any overpayment will be adjusted in subsequent demands.