LegCo Panel Explores Operations of Hong Kong's Chinese Medicine Hospital and Testing Institute

LegCo Panel on Health Services visits The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Health Services visited the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) today (February 9) to gain insight into the operations of the facilities following their opening.

Members first received a briefing by representatives from the CMHHK on the hospital's positioning, design concept and service highlights. Members noted thattheCMHHK commenced services in phases from December 11 last year. In the first year, the hospital will provide outpatient and day-patient services, launch six specialised Chinese medicine (CM) services as well as 12 CM special disease programmes, with other services expanding year by year.

Members then visited the facilities of theCMHHK, including the day wards and private clinic, to learn about patient care and the appointment procedures. They also observed a demonstration of the moxibustion treatment to gain a deeper understanding on CM culture and application. Members also inquired with the hospital representatives about the fees and charges of the hospital private clinic as well as healthcare manpower arrangement.

Afterwards, Members went to the permanent premises of the GCMTI, where they received a briefing by representatives from the Department of Health on the institute's positioning and its work priorities. They also watched a video highlighting CM cultural heritage. Members noted that one of the missions of the GCMTI is to develop a series of internationally recognised reference standards for CM by employing advanced and innovative technology.

Members also toured the Chinese Medicines Herbarium at the GCMTI and viewed featured exhibits, including precious specimens such as cordyceps and Radix Astragali. They learnt that the collection comprises over 10 000 items, which serves as an indispensable reference for research, testing and comparative identification of CM.

A total of 12 members and non-members of the Panel on Health Services participated in the visit.

Photo shows Members receiving a briefing by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (first left), on the permanent premises of the GCMTI. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows Members touring the Chinese Medicines Herbarium in the permanent premises of the GCMTI. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows Members receiving a briefing by the representatives from the CMHHK on the hospital's wards and facilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Chairman of the Panel on Health Services, Mr David Lam (eleventh left); the Deputy Chairman, Professor Chan Wing-kwong (ninth left) and other LegCo members with the representatives of the CMHHK in the hospital. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

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 Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases