Health bureau open to proposals for new medical programmes in hong kong amid rising demand for healthcare services
In response to media enquiries on the interest of tertiary institutions to offer medical programmes, a spokesman for the Health Bureau (HHB) gave the following response today (July 8):
The HHB is aware that a number of local tertiary institutions have publicly indicated their interest in offering medical programmes. The HHB keeps an open mind towards any initiatives conducive to nurturing local medical students and increasing healthcare manpower supply. In terms of healthcare manpower training, it is essential that any new medical programme must secure sufficient manpower and facilities for teaching and training to ensure teaching quality, and must contribute to increasing the supply of local doctors for meeting the rising demand for healthcare services in Hong Kong.
The Government will consider medical programme proposals from any tertiary institutions in accordance with the established mechanisms for local tertiary institutions to offer programmes. In reviewing medical programme proposals, the HHB will take into account factors such as the development needs of the healthcare system, the local healthcare manpower projection, the demand and supply of teaching and training manpower, and the relevant teaching and training facilities including teaching hospitals. The HHB will also discuss with relevant bureaux on ancillaries such as the development of tertiary institutions, financial resources required, and land supply for university campuses before making further consideration. The introduction of medical programmes and provision of training facilities involve enormous public money. The programmes have to be accredited and recognised by the Medical Council of Hong Kong so that the graduates can possess the qualifications to become registered local medical practitioners.
Since the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) expressed its interest in introducing medical programmes last year, the HHB and the HKUST have all along maintained communication. The HHB has so far received from the HKUST a few pages on the initial ideas and slideshows introducing the initial ideas. The HHB has learned from the HKUST that the plan is still in its planning stage, while detailed proposals are still being formulated. At present, the HKUST has yet to formally submit detailed proposals of the relevant plan to the Government. It is too early to comment on the relevant plan at the current stage.
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Special traffic and transport arrangements for concert at Kai Tak Sports Park on April 8, 9, 11 and 12
The Transport Department (TD) today (April 6) said that, to facilitate the holding of a concert at Kai Tak Stadium of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) on the evening of April 8, 9, 11 and 12 (hereunder referred to as event dates), special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented to provide convenience for spectators to travel to and from the KTSP. Cross-boundary travellers are urged to plan their journeys early.
A spokesman for the TD said, "We have been working with relevant bureaux/departments, the KTSP Limited, the event organiser and public transport operators to plan ahead the public transport services and ancillary transport facilities in advance, so that spectators can arrive at the venue conveniently and then leave in an orderly manner. As the traffic in the vicinity of the KTSP is expected to be heavy, spectators should opt for public transport and avoid driving. No parking space will be provided in the KTSP during the event period."
(1) Railway services
To facilitate the dispersal of an outflux of spectators, the service headway of the MTR Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line (ERL) will be enhanced during the dispersal period on the event dates. Spare trains will be arranged to meet the additional demand.
Of note, for cross-boundary travellers, the last train to Lo Wu Station via interchanging at Tai Wai Station on the ERL will depart from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm. Travellers who miss the last train to Lo Wu Station may take the ERL to Sheung Shui Station and then the KMB route no. 276B or N73 to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange (PTI), and transfer to the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang (LMC-HG) cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) for their journey to Shenzhen.
(2) Special bus route services
To provide convenience for cross-boundary travellers, two additional special bus routes will be introduced during the dispersal period on the event dates to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) PTI and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port/Airport, thereby transferring to the Yellow Bus for their journey to Shenzhen and the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus) for their return to Macao or Zhuhai, or departing from Hong Kong via the airport respectively. Including routes to major districts across the territory, a total of 11 special bus routes will be provided in the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area (PUDOA):
Type
Special bus route
Destination/major service areas
Ports
SP12
Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) PTI
A25S
HZMB Hong Kong Port/Airport
Hong Kong Island
SP10
Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central
SP11
Tai Koo, Shau Kei Wan, Siu Sai Wan
Kowloon
SP1
Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O (Hang Hau)
SP2
Mong Kok
New Territories
SP3
Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi
SP5A
Tuen Mun
SP6
Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai
SP7
Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui
SP9
Tseung Kwan O South (LOHAS Park)
(3) Cross-boundary coach services and port traffic arrangements
The KTSP Limited will arrange cross-boundary coach services during the dispersal period on the event dates to facilitate travellers' return to the Mainland via the LMC/HG Port. Passengers should purchase tickets prior to the concert (on-site ticket sales not available during dispersal) and board their coach at the PUDOA on the G/F, Kai Tak Stadium, via the escalator outside Gate H, 2/F. They should refer to the operators' website (Eternal East Bus: www.myeebus.com/eebusfans; CTG Bus: m.hkctgbus.com/#/layout/home) for the latest ticket information.
A dedicated passage will be established at the LMC/HG Port when necessary to ensure the smooth operation of public transport services.
(4) Taxi services
On the above event dates, the Sung Wong Toi Road PUDOA will be opened from 2pm to 11.30pm for taxi pick-up/drop-off. The TD will mobilise the taxi trade for picking up passengers. The waiting time will be longer amid an outflux of spectators during dispersal and passengers' patience is appreciated. The KTSP Limited will open the Taxi Drop-off Area at Kai Tak Stadium and Kai Tak Arena during admission phase for drop-off only.
Spectators are advised to take heed of the real-time information via on-site broadcast and the "Easy Leave" (easyleave.police.gov.hk) as well as the latest traffic news through the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), the "HKeMobility" mobile application, radio and television broadcasts.
