Tai chi aids control tactics

The Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy opened last month, with its first batch of 29 trainees hailing from the Mainland, Macau, Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam.

Protective moves: The Certificate in Safe & Effective Control Tactics course introduces “Tai Chi Safe Defensive Techniques”, a set of drills which utilise elements of tai chi to minimise harm. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

The academy offers a Certificate in Safe & Effective Control Tactics course. Pitched at Level 3 under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework, it teaches frontline law enforcement officers to apply self-defence and control techniques that minimise harm.

Designed by the Correctional Services Department, the course incorporates various martial arts styles, including a set of drills known as the Tai Chi Safe Defensive Techniques.

Progressive methods

The department believes that tai chi techniques, known for their gentleness, can effectively reduce the risk of injury to both law enforcement personnel and individuals being restrained.

In order to make learning tai chi moves easier for those without prior experience, the instructors break them down into small steps and adopt a progressive teaching method.

Valuable exchanges: Assistant Director of Correctional Services (Operations) Chan Siu-hang says the academy can help to promote the sharing of emergency response tactics and experiences among the law enforcement agencies of different jurisdictions. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

Participants in last month’s course gave enthusiastic feedback. Kim Yoon-gwan, a trainee from the Republic of Korea, found the tai chi element both challenging and interesting, while Von Angelo D Gripal, a trainee from the Philippines, described it as “a wonderful addition to our knowledge” and said he would take what he had learnt home to his colleagues.  

The course also gave participants the chance to apply their learning to various scenarios. For example, during one tactical session, they teamed up to control an uncooperative person in custody.

Enthusiastic feedback: Kim Yoon-gwan, a trainee from the Republic of Korea, says he found the Tai Chi Safe Defensive Techniques challenging and interesting. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

Immersive training

Located at the former Cape Collinson Correctional Institution, the academy offers a wide range of training facilities and an authentic correctional environment that enables an immersive training experience.

Instructors for the academy are selected from the department’s Regional Response Team. All have undergone overseas training, while some hold internationally recognised certifications.

Stepwise approach: Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy Instructor Chan Siu-ming says the tai chi moves are broken down into small steps for tai chi novices. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

The department has established an advisory group that includes experts from various professions such as sports medicine and science, Chinese medicine, and physiotherapy. They offer opinions and suggestions to improve course content and enhance the overall effectiveness and safety of the tactical training delivered.

The academy also plans to introduce instructor courses in the future, enabling graduates to provide relevant training to other personnel after returning to their respective organisations.

Satisfied participant: Von Angelo D Gripal (left), a trainee from the Philippines, says he looks forward to introducing colleagues back home to his new knowledge. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

CHP urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as severe paediatric influenza infection case reported

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 15) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case, the fifth case this year. The CHP reiterated its reminder to parents to arrange for their children to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) promptly. The SIV remains one of the most effective methods of preventing influenza and its complications and can reduce the risk of serious complications or death from infection.

The case involves a 15-year-old boy with underlying diseases. On February 12, he developed a fever. He was sent to theAccident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre the following day (February 13) due to persistent fever and was admitted on the same day. He subsequently developed desaturation and shock, and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further treatment today because of worsening conditions. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia and heart failure. He is currently in serious condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the boy has not yet received the 2025/26 SIV. He is a resident of a special school. A recent influenza outbreak was recorded in his school dormitory. The CHP staff has conducted site visit and advised the school to strengthen a series of infection control measures. Chemoprophylaxis against influenza was given to unaffected students and staff. The boy's family members are asymptomatic. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

So far this year, five severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded, involving children aged between 6 months and 15 years old. Three of the affected children had not received an SIV, including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only three days before the onset of illness. As the patient was not protected by the vaccine, the case is not counted as being vaccinated. During the summer influenza season ending in early January, 25 severe paediatric influenza cases were recorded, including three fatal cases and involving children aged between 6 months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received an SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before the onset of illness).

"Although the influenza activity in Hong Kong is currently at a low, influenza activity still remains at a relatively high level in many popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as some areas in North America and Europe. Moreover, the overall influenza activity has increased again in Korea and Japan recently, with the major circulating virus strain having changed from the earlier influenza A (H3) to influenza B. With the increase in cross-border travel and the number of incoming visitors in the Chinese New Year, the risk of influenza transmission will also increase. Moreover, based on past experience, Hong Kong's winter influenza season typically occurs in the first quarter. With the persistent cold weather and the possibility of a change in circulating virus strains, it cannot be ruled out that the influenza activity will increase again later. Receiving SIV is still one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from infection. The public should receive vaccination as soon as possible regardless of staying locally or planning to travel abroad, as it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against the influenza virus. All individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, should act promptly if they have not yet received an SIV, including those who contracted influenza in the past few months, in order to safeguard personal health," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

"Recently, outbreaks of influenza continue to occur in schools. For children who did not join the SIV School Outreach Programme, parents should promptly bring their children toprivate doctorsenrolled in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme to receive an SIV. In addition, the SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years is only about 25 per cent. Although this represents an approximate 2 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still much lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to allow their children to receive an SIV," Dr Tsui added.

He also reminded members of the public that, especially for children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, they should seek medical advice promptly for early treatment if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children's condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.

Separately, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.

Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza Webpage,COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, andVaccination Schemes Webpage, for the latest information.

Source: AI-found images