Secretary for Health Visits PolyU for Healthcare Facility Progress and Student Exchange

2024-07-22 17:05 Last Updated At：17:18

Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today (July 22) to get a better grasp of its latest progress in enhancing healthcare teaching facilities, and meet with teaching staff and students to exchange views.

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Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Polytechnic University Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Polytechnic University Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Professor Lo met with the university management including the Chairman of the PolyU Council, Dr Lam Tai-fai, and the President of PolyU, Professor Teng Jinguang. He also visited the healthcare teaching facilities there in the company of the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU, Professor David Shum, to gain a better understanding of the progress of works projects for enhancing relevant facilities.

Professor Lo also met with undergraduate and postgraduate students from different healthcare-related disciplines of the university and listened to their sharing of learning experiences as well as their faith and aspirations in their pursuit of careers in healthcare professions.

Professor Lo said, "The healthcare system is composed of different healthcare professions whose seamless co-operation contributes to the effective operation of the healthcare system. The Government has long been attaching great importance to nurturing healthcare professionals. Through the multiple initiatives taken forward to increase the number of healthcare training places and enable University Grants Committee-funded universities to upgrade and expand healthcare teaching facilities, the Government is aiming to further alleviate the shortage of public healthcare manpower, such that members of the public can enjoy high-quality healthcare services in a sustainable manner.

"PolyU has been training numerous allied health professionals and nurses for Hong Kong over the years. I hope that students of the relevant disciplines will devote their aspirations to the city's healthcare and citizens' wellbeing by putting their knowledge into practice after graduation. We will continue to earnestly explore feasible measures for strengthening the workforce of healthcare professionals in the public healthcare system in a multipronged approach, with a view to addressing the challenges posed to the public healthcare system by the ageing population of Hong Kong, and pushing ahead the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub."

Public Warned to Take Precautions Against Heat Stroke and Sunburn During Hot Weather Activities

2024-09-18 06:46 Last Updated At：06:58

CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 18) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

"The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

"Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

The public should adopt the following precautions:

Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;

Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;

Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;

For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;

Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and

Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):

Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;

Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;

Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;

Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and

While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111),heat strokepage andUV radiationpage; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Secretary for Health Visits PolyU for Healthcare Facility Progress and Student Exchange

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