DH observes World Health Day by strengthening its roles as WHO collaborating centres and promoting health through science
Today (April 7) is World Health Day. In support of the World Health Organization's (WHO) appeal, the Department of Health (DH) stated that it will continue to strengthen its co-operation and ties with the WHO and its members. The DH will leverage the functions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government as various WHO collaborating centres. The DH will also adhere to a science-based approach and promote crossregional professional exchanges and collaboration in the field of public health, with the aim of building a healthier future for humanity and advancing human health and well-being.
"The DH has consistently aligned itself with and integrated into the broader national health and medical development framework, and is committed to working hand in hand with the WHO to advance global health issues and address public health challenges. For over a decade, the DH has been designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence and a WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, and has served as a reference laboratory for various communicable diseases, contributing to different aspects such as global disease surveillance and personnel training. This year, the Microbiology Division of the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH was also designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre on quality and capacity building for Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), supporting GISRS in prevention and control of influenza, promoting quality and capacity building of the WHO laboratory network, contributing to global public health in various areas," the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said.
The WHO has designated April 7 as World Health Day. This year's theme is "Together for health. Stand with science", celebrating the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants and the planet. The day also spotlights both scientific achievements and the importance of multilateral cooperation. The functions of the three WHO Collaborating Centres under the DH are as follows:
WHO Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence
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The DH was designated by the WHO to establish the Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in Hong Kong, China with the aim of supporting other member states/regions within the Western Pacific Region in developing smoking cessation strategies and conducting training programmes. It regularly provides specialised tobacco controland training programmes in smoking cessation treatment for healthcare professionals as well as for tobacco control and smoking cessation practitioners in the HKSAR, on the Chinese Mainland and throughout the entire Western Pacific Region.The Collaborating Centre also organises training courses on Chinese medicine acupuncture for frontline Chinese medicine practitioners to help them further enhance their knowledge and skills in smoking cessation, and promotes Chinese medicine-based smoking cessation in overseas regions.
The training programme is structured according to the WHO's tobacco control measures to help participants plan tobacco control measures in a more forward-looking manner. So far, over 300 tobacco control personnel from government agencies and non-governmental organisations in the Western Pacific Region have participated in the training programme organised by the DH.
In addition, the Collaborating Centre also provides a spectrum of online resources, including Very Brief Advice and Brief Intervention on Smoking Cessation delivery toolkits, online training courses, and a Practical Handbook for Smoking Cessation Treatments. These resources are designed to support healthcare professionals in helping smokers quit through various channels.
WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine
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The DH was designated by the WHO to establish the Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine in Hong Kong, China, to support the WHO in developing International Herbal Pharmacopoeia, traditional medicine strategy and regulatory standards etc. Upon the request of the WHO, the Collaborating Centre has consistently provided technical support for the formulation of safety and quality standards for Chinese medicines. It also actively participates in the WHO's global network activities promoting traditional medicine and supports the cultivation of traditional medicine professionals worldwide to enhance professional knowledge and development.
To date, the Collaborating Centre has provided extensive technical support to the WHO, including organising numerous international conferences and workshops on topics such as the development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia, thereby contributing to the scientific development and sustainable use of traditional medicine worldwide.
WHO Collaborating Centre on quality and capacity building for GISRS
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The Microbiology Division of the PHLSB under the CHP provides laboratory diagnostic services for disease surveillance and control, health promotion and disease prevention. Designated by the WHO as National Influenza Centre in 1963 and as Global Influenza A (H5) Reference Laboratory in 2004, the Microbiology Division has collaborated closely with the WHO over the years.
In January this year, the Microbiology Division completed the WHO evaluation process and was designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for quality and capacity building for GISRS. It supports global influenza laboratories in enhancing their quality and testing capabilities.
Dr Lam stated that the DH will continue to work closely with the WHO and other members of the WHO Western Pacific Region, playing the role of a "super connector" to serve the broader national health development agenda and act as a vital bridge between the Chinese Mainland and international health partners.
Source: AI-found images
