Institute of Philanthropy participates at 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva The following is issued on behalf of the Institute of Philanthropy

A delegation from the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”) – a charitable organisationestablished by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust in September 2023 – participated in programmes surrounding the 77th World Health Assembly being heldfrom 26 May to 1 June in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Assembly is thehighest body for setting global health policy and the forum through which the WorldHealth Organization (“WHO”) is governed by its 194 member states.

The IoP delegation took part in the launch of Investment Round – a new mechanism tomobilise sustainable financing for the WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work,2025-2028. Under the theme “All for Health, Health for All”, the launch wasannounced by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World HealthOrganization. It convened high-level representatives from member states, internationalorganisations and philanthropic foundations.

At the launch, the IoP announced its donation of a first tranche of US$1.23 million(HK$9.6 million) to support WHO efforts to safeguard the health of migrant anddisplaced populations affected by climate change. This collaboration underscores theIoP’s commitment to address global health challenges in the context of climate change.

Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy and Executive Director,Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, speaks at the launch of the World Health Organization’s Investment Round.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy and CEO ofThe Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the donation was a milestone for the IoP as the firstproject it has supported led by a United Nations specialised agency. Through thisdonation, the IoP is aiming to help address the critical issue of health arising fromclimate change in keeping with its mission to support globally impactful projects.

The IoP’s donation to the WHO was announced by Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of theInstitute of Philanthropy and Executive Director, Charities and Community of TheHong Kong Jockey Club, at the Investment Round launch.

The IoP also partnered the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to co-sponsor a side eventon pandemic preparedness in support of the Global Health Emergency Corps (“GHEC”).The GHEC was launched by the WHO and its partners at the 76th World HealthAssembly in May 2023 to strengthen collaboration and emergency response levelsacross countries and health networks.

Dr Christopher Elias, President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda GatesFoundation (centre), and Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropyand Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club(right), speak at a side event co-sponsored by the foundation and the IoP.

Dr Michael Ryan, Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization,delivered opening remarks at the side event, while Dr Leung and Dr Christopher Elias,President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, both deliveredaddresses. Attendees included members of national delegations, representatives ofmultilateral organisations and philanthropic foundations.

Throughout the duration of the Assembly, the IoP delegation held a series of bilateralmeetings with the Deputy Director-General, Assistant Directors-General and othersenior WHO leadership to exchange views on global health issues of common concern.

In recognition of the need for multilateral co-operation to safeguard global health andaddress the health impact of climate change, the IoP has undertaken the following steps:

• Signed a formal Statement of Collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation onthe occasion of the first-ever Health Day at COP28 to strengthen global healthresilience to climate change.

• Is collaborating with the National Health Commission to enhance humanresources for health and develop top medical and health-care talent in China.

• Is supporting the University of Cambridge’s Trinity Challenge on AntimicrobialResistance, which promotes collaboration and innovation in addressing thehealth needs of low- and middle-income jurisdictions that lack community-leveldata on antimicrobial resistance.

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorm

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (July 27) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-generated images