Community Health Project Launched in Hong Kong to Promote Well-Being Across 18 Districts

2026-04-07 11:59 Last Updated At：13:23

HYAB launches 18-District Health Community Project with Care Teams and Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of University of Hong Kong

The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), the District Services & Community Care Teams (Care Teams), and the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) held the kick-off ceremony of the "Shape Your Healthy Life: 18 District Health Community Project" and the first district outreach health promotion event at the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall today (April 7). The project aims to strengthen community level primary health support, as well as enable citizens to gain practical health knowledge.

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HYAB launches 18-District Health Community Project with Care Teams and Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Source: AI-found images

HYAB launches 18-District Health Community Project with Care Teams and Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

The kick-off ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Patrick Li; the Director of Home Affairs, Ms Priscilla To; the Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance) of the University of Hong Kong, Mrs Cherry Tse; and the Dean of the HKUMed, Professor Lau Chak-sing.

The HYAB and Care Teams partnered with the HKUMed for the first time to launch a territory-wide health project in 18 districts, providing community services to citizens. In her speech, Miss Mak stated that the HYAB has always been committed to promoting community participation and believing that for health awareness to be transformed into action, it is necessary to deliver information and services to the citizens and express care to those in need. This collaboration with the HKUMed precisely combines the community network of the Care Teams with professional medical knowledge, taking community health services a step further and jointly promoting the health awareness in the community.

Miss Mak expressed her gratitude to the doctors from the HKUMed, members of the Care Teams, as well as the students of the HKUMed and the volunteers of the "Youth Link" for contributing to support community health. She hoped that this project will not only raise citizens' awareness of physical and mental health, but also gather community power to shape a healthy life together. The project will mobilise Care Teams of the 18 districts and members of the "Youth Link" to participate, fully embodying the "We Care We Serve" spirit of serving the community and expressing care for those in need.

The year-long "18-District Health Community Project", spanning all districts of Hong Kong, provides free health screenings, public seminars, community sports programmes, and health consultations for the elderly and families, aiming to promote preventive health and enhance community well-being. In the coming months, various activities tailored to the needs of different communities will be gradually launched, aiming to further raising citizens' health awareness.

After the kick-off ceremony, the first district health promotion event began, with over 250 citizens participating in health talks and free health screening services held in the community hall.

Hong Kong's Department of Health Strengthens Ties with WHO on World Health Day.

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.

Community Health Project Launched in Hong Kong to Promote Well-Being Across 18 Districts

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