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 1.4 Tons of Drugs in Major Airport Anti-Narcotics Operation

Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation

Hong Kong Customs conducted a large-scale anti-narcotics operation at Hong Kong International Airport from October 1 to December 31 last year to combat drug trafficking activities by aviation channels. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies detected a total of 183 drug cases, seizing around 1.4 tons of suspected drugs including ketamine, cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin, with an estimated market value of over $431 million. Sixty-two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

During the operation, Hong Kong Customs collaborated with 16 Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies, maintained close and real-time exchange of intelligence and conducted joint assessments to effectively track and intercept drug trafficking activities. The Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Mainland Customs, Macao Judiciary Police, German Customs, French Customs, New Zealand Customs Service and Thai Customs Department also successfully detected drug trafficking cases in their respective regions.

Customs has been closely monitoring the trends of drug markets and smuggling channels, and has strived to intercept drug trafficking activities at import, transit and export levels based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis. Customs will continue to make necessary adjustments in strategy and deployments in accordance with changes in the drug trafficking trends, and deepen co-operation with overseas enforcement agencies to fight against cross-boundary narcotics trafficking activities.

Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to 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.

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.

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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