Hong Kong and Macao Conduct Successful Cross-Boundary Ambulance Transfer Drill in Greater Bay Area

2024-10-08 19:01 Last Updated At：19:18

Drill for Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA by HKSAR and Macao SAR Governments conducted smoothly today

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in collaboration with the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) Government today (October 8), conducted a drill for the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme), simulating the transfer of patients under the cross-boundary ambulance arrangement. The drill was conducted smoothly in general. Relevant departments of the two SAR Governments will review the arrangement, with a view to launching the Pilot Scheme within this year.

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Drill for Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA by HKSAR and Macao SAR Governments conducted smoothly today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Drill for Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA by HKSAR and Macao SAR Governments conducted smoothly today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Today's drill mainly aimed at testing the routing of the cross-boundary ambulance between Conde S. Januario Hospital (CHCSJ) of Macao and the designated hospital in Hong Kong (i.e. Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)), as well as the immigration arrangements of the ambulance. After departure from CHCSJ of Macao, the designated Macao cross-boundary ambulance travelled to PMH via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), before returning to CHCSJ of Macao via the HZMB.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address the exploration of a cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangement in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Pilot Scheme will first roll out the arrangement of a direct ambulance transfer of patients from designated hospitals in Shenzhen and Macao to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong. Further to the smooth completion of the drill conducted by the HKSAR Government in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government on August 23 this year, I am glad that the HKSAR Government and the Macao SAR Government have also made today's drill a success through concerted efforts, further streamlining the flow of a direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer to get better prepared for the launch of the Pilot Scheme."

As a facilitation to the drill arrangement, the HKSAR Government published in the Gazette last Friday (October 4) the exemption of designated Macao cross-boundary ambulances from the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374E) (the Regulations) during a specified period, pursuant to regulation 3(c) of the Regulations. The Governments of the two places are striving to finalise as soon as possible the long-term arrangements for designated Macao cross-boundary ambulances to enter Hong Kong.

Apart from the entry arrangement of vehicles into Hong Kong, the Health Bureau is also in discussion with relevant departments of the Macao SAR Government on the implementation details regarding the entry of medical items and personnel on the direct cross-boundary ambulance into Hong Kong. In particular, CHCSJ of Macao will deploy healthcare personnel to escort patients with clinical needs on the ambulance to a designated public hospital in Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will ensure compliance by the doctors concerned with the relevant laws of Hong Kong, such that they can continue to carry out the necessary medical procedures for the patients on board the ambulance upon entry into Hong Kong. The Medical Council of Hong Kong has issued a promulgation regarding limited registration in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161). The Hospital Authority (HA) is making limited registration applications for the Macao doctors who will provide support aboard the directcross-boundary ambulances.

Under the Pilot Scheme, the cross-boundary ambulance mechanism will only be activated when a prior agreement between the sending hospital (i.e. the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital or CHCSJ of Macao) and the receiving hospital (i.e. designated public hospitals under the HA of Hong Kong) has been reached in advance, with the medical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns, and a mechanism in place to avoid abuse. Subject to the effectiveness and operational experience upon the launching of the Pilot Scheme, the HKSAR Government will consider the arrangement for the next phase of the Scheme.

Hong Kong Customs Seizes 21.8kg of Dangerous Drugs, Arrests Three Individuals in Recent Operations

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.

In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong and Macao Conduct Successful Cross-Boundary Ambulance Transfer Drill in Greater Bay Area

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