Hospital Authority announces senior appointments
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced the following senior appointments today (December 18):
Dr Tony Ha will be appointed as Director (Strategy and Planning) with effect from January 1, 2026.
Dr Ha is a specialist in administrative medicine with extensive experience in clinical and executive roles across the Health Bureau, HA Head Office and clusters. Since March 2023, he has served as the Assistant Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, contributing to the planning and implementation of major primary healthcare reforms. He has played a key role in driving the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, supporting the establishment of the Primary Healthcare Commission, and advancing the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme, which aims to facilitate early identification and timely intervention of chronic diseases, thereby reducing reliance on specialised and hospital services. Dr Ha also co-ordinates the development of service models, service standards, and IT (information technology) systems of Family Medicine Outpatient Services, and liaises with the HA to strengthen support for patients in need, including underprivileged groups. Prior to his current appointment, Dr Ha served as Chief Manager in the Strategy and Planning Division of the HA Head Office, where he oversaw the planning and development of services in primary care, elderly care, palliative care and rehabilitation, contributing to the advancement of smart healthcare initiatives by applying digital tools and data-driven service models to enhance the accessibility, integration, and efficiency of these services.
Dr Loletta So will be appointed as Cluster Chief Executive (CCE) of Kowloon East Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive (HCE) of United Christian Hospital with effect from February 1, 2026.
A specialist in respiratory medicine by background, Dr So is a seasoned clinician with solid exposure to top management positions in the cluster and hospitals. Dr So has been in her current role as the CCE of Hong Kong East Cluster and HCE of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH), St John Hospital and Wong Chuk Hang Hospital since 2022. Dr So has led the cluster towards continuous advancement in technological innovation, namely the establishment of the Hybrid Operating Theatre in PYNEH and the invention of an advanced 3D printing model for training healthcare professionals, which won 15 awards in local and international innovation and technology competitions. Under Dr So's leadership, PYNEH became the first public hospital in Hong Kong to be accredited under the China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version). During the 5th wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, Dr So successfully led the cluster to set up a designated hospital in Ruttonjee Hospital and a designated floor in PYNEH for COVID-19 patients.
Dr Eric Yan will be appointed as HCE of Kowloon Hospital (KH) and Hong Kong Eye Hospital with effect from January 1, 2026.
A specialist in psychiatry in background, Dr Yan is a seasoned psychiatrist with rich experience in both hospital operations and management. Dr Yan is currently the Deputy HCE and Chief of Service of Psychiatry of KH. Dr Yan spearheaded the commissioning of child and adolescent mental health services in Kowloon Central Cluster and the new consultation service model for psychiatric nurses to carry out child psychiatric consultations, which significantly reduced consultation times and enhanced patient care. Dr Yan also holds various pivotal roles in the professional and governmental bodies, including the Vice President (General Affairs) of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists, in which he collaborated with different stakeholders to develop a modernised and professional psychiatric specialist training programme in the Greater Bay Area.
The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, and the HA Chief Executive, Dr Libby Lee, congratulate Dr Ha, Dr So and Dr Yan on their new appointments and wish them every success in taking up the new roles. Mr Fan and Dr Lee also expressed their appreciation to Dr Ching Wai-kuen, Director (Strategy and Planning) for his dedicated service over the years and wish him a happy retirement.
Hospital Authority announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hospital Authority announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hospital Authority announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government implements Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles steadily and provides convenience upon entry into urban area under vehicle and road safety (with photo/video)
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 18) said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been pressing ahead with the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles (STGV) in a steady manner under the strategies of ensuring safety, effective diversion, well-equipped supporting facilities, and streamlined application processes. Various measures are ready to receive Guangdong vehicles entering Hong Kong's urban areas from December 23.
Positive response in applications
The STGV (Entry into Urban Area) has been open for application from eligible Guangdong private cars since December 9. After the TD's vetting, applicants gradually completed procedures such as vehicle inspection, verification of e-contact means and obtaining insurance, and then submitted documents via the application system. The TD will issue electronic permits and approval letters to the successful applicants accordingly. The TD has arranged vehicle inspection centres to install the HKeToll vehicle tags for vehicles during inspection, and applicants are required to set up auto-payment means or top up their HKeToll accounts for toll payments. Starting from 0.00am on December 23, approved Guangdong vehicles with confirmed travel bookings may enter Hong Kong's urban areas via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) for up to three days per visit.
Vehicle and road safety
The Government attaches great importance to vehicle and road safety. All Guangdong vehicles entering Hong Kong's urban areas are required to undergo and pass a vehicle examination in accordance with Hong Kong requirements at the TD's designated vehicle inspection centres on the Mainland. According to the TD's guidelines, inspection centres are required to carry out 15 inspection items, which include verification of the vehicle identification number and engine number; inspection of tyres and steering, suspension and braking systems; and examination of body structure, markings, safety equipment and whether any vehicle modifications have been made. Managed by Hong Kong service providers, the inspection centres must ensure that Guangdong vehicles are in compliance with Hong Kong standards and are safe for use on Hong Kong roads. The TD has provided training to inspection personnel to ensure consistency in inspection standards.
On road safety, Hong Kong adopts the "left-hand traffic" rule for road design, under which traffic keeps to the left-hand side of the roads, which is different from that on the Mainland. The style of some traffic signs and road markings is also different. Guangdong drivers must heighten their vigilance, particularly when overtaking, making right turns at junctions, using roundabouts, merging onto expressways or seeing signs like "Pedestrian crossing ahead", "Give way" or "Stop", where extra caution is warranted. Motorists are reminded that failing to comply with relevant requirements under traffic laws is liable on conviction to fines or imprisonment.
The TD has released videos on driving in Hong Kong at inspection centres and on social media to introduce Hong Kong's traffic rules, traffic signs and road markings, and points to note while driving. Publicity leaflets have also been distributed to remind Guangdong drivers of the differences between Mainland and Hong Kong road designs, traffic rules and facilities. Guangdong drivers may also refer to the Road Users' Code published by the TD for more details.
Enhanced supporting facilities for diversion
After entering the urban areas, Guangdong drivers may download the TD's HKeMobility mobile app for the latest traffic news and details of parking and charging facilities in various districts to plan their journeys. The HKeMobility launched the STGV dedicated page (sbt.hkemobility.gov.hk) with new functions today to display, via a map-based interface, carparks with enhanced facilities supporting charging for Mainland electric vehicles and Mainland payment means. It also facilitates searches for carparks near tourist hotspots. The TD has liaised with operators of common navigation apps used by Mainland drivers and noted that they will update their Hong Kong maps with reference to HKeMobility and the transport and traffic data from the Government's Open Data Portal to provide the latest information on parking and charging facilities. These measures help ensure road safety and effective diversion.
The TD will release information on carparks to provide convenience for Guangdong drivers in locating public and private carparks with enhanced supporting facilities across districts. Guangdong drivers may use the Octopus App or physical Octopus cards for payment at most carparks. Furthermore, the TD has commissioned an operator to set up the Lantau Charging Stationcum STGVInformation Centre, providing convenient charging services for Guangdong electric vehicles entering the urban areas via the HZMB Hong Kong Port or before returning to Guangdong, along with the latest information on the STGV. The Charging Station has been equipped with ultra fastchargers suitable for both local and Guangdong vehicles.
Guangdong drivers may refer to the Tourist Parking Guides to plan their journeys by self-driving and matching public transport to explore Hong Kong's diverse appeals in culture, sports, exhibitions, shopping and theme parks, thereby diverting Guangdong vehicles to different districts and benefitting various trades and sectors under the inflow of additional tourists.
Since November, the TD has been in collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office in a series of thematic posts on Mainland social media. Details of different parts of the STGV (Entry into Urban Area) are also provided on the thematic webpage, the application and driving information kit, publicity leaflets and tutorial videos. The HKSAR Government will implement the STGV in an orderly manner so that it will be well received by users, reassuring to the public, and beneficial to the community at large.
Government implements Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles steadily and provides convenience upon entry into urban area under vehicle and road safety (with photo/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
