Hospital Authority Begins Search for New Chief Executive Following Dr. Tony Ko's Decision to Step Down

Hospital Authority commences recruitment of Chief Executive

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) Board today (January 23) discussed and endorsed at its Administrative and Operational Meeting the commencement of recruitment of a new HA Chief Executive. The incumbent Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, had earlier indicated to the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, his wish to not seek reappointment upon completion of his current contract at the end of July this year.

"Dr Ko has served the HA with utmost dedication since his appointment as the Chief Executive in 2019. He had earlier expressed his wish to embark on a new chapter in life after his term expires at the end of July. He intends to leverage his extensive experience of over three decades in the public healthcare system to continue contributing and serving society through other platforms, and therefore decided not to seek reappointment as the HA Chief Executive," Mr Fan said.

"It is with much regret that, despite my numerous attempts to persuade him to stay in the past few months, Dr Ko has decided to start a new chapter in his life after the contract expires. Both the HA Board and I deeply regret but fully respect his final decision. We are extremely grateful for his decade-long dedication and commitment to public hospitals for the well-being of patients and Hong Kong society. Dr Ko's contribution is pivotal to the long-term development of the HA and the public healthcare system. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours as he continues to contribute to the medical profession."

Dr Ko said, "Serving patients in public hospitals has been my lifelong honour. I am also very grateful that, during my tenure as the Chief Executive in the past six years, we have overcome various challenges together. Under the leadership of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, we defeated the COVID-19 epidemic. After the resumption of normalcy, we worked together for Hong Kong to maintain its leading role in the international healthcare field, strengthening connections and exchanges with the healthcare systems on the Mainland and with other regions. Meanwhile, we vigorously promoted the development of smart hospital initiatives for more patients to benefit from the technology. All these outstanding achievements could have only been accomplished with our concerted efforts. I would also like to sincerely thank the Health Bureau, all HA Chairmen, particularly the incumbent Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, all HA Board Members, as well as all HA staff, whose unstinting support has enabled us to overcome all difficulties together."

On the recruitment exercise, the HA Board has appointed a Selection Board to advise on the details of the overall recruitment and selection process, including the recommendation of the proposed remuneration for the successful candidate. The HA will engage a search firm for the recruitment exercise. It is expected that the recruitment exercise will be completed within the next six months to allow adequate time for the new Chief Executive to have a smooth handover with Dr Ko.

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 (March 15) 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.