Hospital Authority Embraces New Blueprint for Chinese Medicine Development in Hong Kong

Hospital Authority welcomes announcement of Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) welcomes the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint announced by the Health Bureau today (December 18). The HA will dovetail with the Government's policy direction to promote the development of Chinese medicine (CM), and work together to build Hong Kong as a bridgehead for CM to go global.

The HA reckons that CM is an integral part of Chinese culture, and Hong Kong possesses unique advantages in CM development. The blueprint sets out a comprehensive roadmap for the future development of CM in Hong Kong, which will further enhance the role and contribution of CM in Hong Kong's healthcare system.

Over the past two decades, the HA has been actively supporting the Government's initiatives to promote CM development, which include the establishment and management of Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) at the 18 districts and launching government-subsidised CM outpatient services. The HA has also implemented various training and research programmes, such as the Chinese Medicine Practitioner (CMP) Trainee Programme, aiming to enhance the clinical competency of local young CMPs. In addition, the HA has actively developed integrated Chinese-Western medicine programmes, covering 26 public hospitals with a total of 67 designated hospital sites in recent years.

Looking ahead, the HA will continue to collaborate with the 18 CMCTRs to provide quality healthcare services, strengthening Hong Kong's integrated CM service network and bringing its benefits to more citizens.

Source: AI-found images

FEHD raids unlicensed cold store in Yuen Long District

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) raided an unlicensed cold store last night (December 17) in Pat Heung, Yuen Long.

During the operation, the FEHD arrested one person and initiated procedures on prosecution for the suspected operation of an unlicensed cold store. Over 10 tonnes of chilled poultry and frozen pork were found on the premises, about 272 kilograms of chilled poultry among them were rendered unfit for human consumption due to improper storage, and was seized for disposal.

Under the Food Business Regulation, the maximum penalty for operating an unlicensed cold store is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

The FEHD has proactively leveraged innovation and technology to boost the efficacy of environmental hygiene work. The officers of the FEHD made use of drones to facilitate collection of intelligence in the course of the investigation for the present operation, and this substantially stepped up the geographical coverage of the investigation and enhanced the efficacy of surveillance.

"We will continue our stringent enforcement actions against unlicensed food businesses to safeguard food safety and public health," a spokesman for the FEHD said.

Members of the public can report any suspected illegal food business activities by calling the FEHD hotline at 2868 0000.

FEHD raids unlicensed cold store in Yuen Long District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD raids unlicensed cold store in Yuen Long District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases