DH continues to follow up on suspected septic shock incident following intravenous infusions
The Department of Health (DH) today (September 19) continued to follow up on the incident involving two individuals who presented with suspected septic shock after receiving intravenous infusions at a premises called "Bioscor Hong Kong" in Central. The DH instructed the person-in-charge of the company to immediately cease providing such high-risk medical services, and to contact its consumers who recently received intravenous infusions at the premises to follow up on their health conditions. The DH has notified the Hospital Authority to alert its Accident and Emergency Departments to be vigilant for related cases. Private hospitals have also been informed to report any suspected cases to the DH. To date, no other serious cases related to receiving intravenous infusions have been received.
The DH's investigation is ongoing, including determining the cause of the serious reactions in the two individuals and the source of the intravenous infusion products. The DH will continue to liaise with the police and take appropriate follow-up actions.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance), products containing Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) as the active ingredient and for human parenteral administration are classified as pharmaceutical products. Such products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold or supplied in Hong Kong. NMN is also classified as a Part 1 Schedule 3 poisons (i.e. prescription drugs), which should be used under a doctor's directions and be supplied in the premises of an Authorised Seller of Poisons (i.e. a pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription.
According to the Ordinance, illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
In November 2013, the Steering Committee on Review of Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities set up by the Government endorsed the report submitted by its Working Group on Differentiation between Medical Procedures and Beauty Services. The report recommended that certain procedures, in view of their inherent risks, should only be performed by registered medical practitioners/registered dentists, namely procedures that involve injections, procedures that involve the mechanical or chemical exfoliation of the skin below the epidermis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and dental bleaching. Any persons who are not registered medical practitioners/registered dentists should refrain from performing the aforementioned procedures. Non-compliance may render oneself liable for offences under the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161) or the Dentists Registration Ordinance (Cap. 156).
In terms of public education, the DH has provided information on its website and social media platforms to help the public distinguish between medical procedures and other services. The information specified which procedures should only be performed by registered medical practitioners or registered dentists. It also reminded the public to understand the details, potential risks and possible complications, and to consult registered medical practitioner or registered dentist before receiving medical procedures.
In addition, the DH sent letters to registered medical practitioners, reminding them that when performing relevant procedures within their scope of professional practice, they must ensure that the drugs provided comply with statutory registration requirements and strictly adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct issued by the Medical Council of Hong Kong.
The DH reminded members of the public that any injection procedures should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should ascertain the doctor's full name, verify their registration on thelist of registered doctorsof the Medical Council of Hong Kong, inquire about the professional qualifications and relevant credentials of the person who performs the injection before receiving it. Members of the public should pay heed to the following health advice before receiving any injection procedures:
Receive a medical consultation to understand the details of the procedure, potential risks and possible complications before receiving the injections. Consult with the doctor to make an informed decision;
Refrain from receiving injections from unidentified sources as their quality and efficacy cannot be guaranteed;
Do not receive an injection if you have a history of allergy to the injection or if the intended injection site is infected or inflamed;
Request the full name of the doctor in writing if you are referred by a beauty service provider for the procedure. Verify the doctor's professional qualifications and credentials; and
Seek medical attention immediately if you develop symptoms such as a fever or feel unwell.
Source: AI-found images
Government concludes seventh-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units
Today (April 26) is the seventh day of phased arrangements for residents of seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to return to their units. Five middle-zone floors of Wang Cheong House and 10 low-zone floors of Wang Tao House were opened. The access arrangements were carried out in an orderly manner and operated smoothly.
A total of 116 households (418 people) registered to return to their units today through the "one social worker per household" service, while 116 households (424 people) actually turned up.
The average time residents spent entering and leaving the building today was two hours and 26 minutes, with the shortest time being 21 minutes and the longest three hours and 56 minutes. About 77 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than three hours. About 26 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than two hours. About 4 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than one hour.
A total of 62 households (151 people) went up and down the building more than once. Among them, 18 households (64 people) made one additional trip, 22 households (46 people) made two additional trips, 11 households (20 people) made three additional trips, 5 households (12 people) made four additional trips, 5 households (8 people) made five additional trips, and 1 household (1 person) made six additional trips.
The integrated enquiry counter set up by relevant departments today received 7 cases requesting police assistance and 1 case involving residents seeking help due to physical discomfort, as well as 1 case seeking psychological counselling services.
The 7 cases requesting police assistance involved suspected loss of property, including watches, jewellery, cash and gold items. Officers were immediately deployed to assist in searches, and lost property was recovered in five cases. For the remaining two cases, the Police will make further investigation.
The Government spares no effort in supporting the residents returning to their units. Each day, the Government deploys over 1 000 personnel from various departments, including the Police, the Civil Aid Service, the Fire Services Department, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the Housing Department, and the Housing Bureau, as well as District Services and Community Care Teams members. The "Government-wide Mobilisation" mechanism has also been activated to bring together greater interdepartmental resources to support residents.
Under the "Government-wide Mobilisation" mechanism, the Civil Service Bureau has co-ordinated nine government departments to mobilise civil servants to form the Government Quick Response Unit to support these access arrangements. These civil servants come from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Architectural Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Environmental Protection Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Lands Department (LandsD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Post Office, and the Water Supplies Department(WSD). They will form dedicated teams with social workers and clinical psychologists from the SWD, stationed on different floors to provide support to residents returning to their units. The civil servants mobilised in the first three days were from the AFCD, those mobilised from the fourth day to the sixth day are from the EMSD and the LCSD, while those mobilised from the seventh day to the ninth day (including today) are from the LandsD and the WSD.
Government concludes seventh-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government concludes seventh-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government concludes seventh-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government concludes seventh-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government concludes seventh-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government concludes seventh-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
