Secretary for Health Promotes and Participates in Blood Donation, Urges Public to Save Lives Ahead of World Blood Donor Day

Secretary for Health supports and participates in blood donation drive at Central Government Offices

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, demonstrated his unwavering support for saving lives through blood donation by participating in the blood donation drive held by the Hong Kong Red Cross at the Central Government Offices (CGO) today (June 9). He appealed to members of the public to generously donate blood to help patients in need of blood transfusions.

In support of the World Blood Donor Day on June 14, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) is providing mobile blood donation services at the CGO today, offering convenience for government personnel to donate blood.

Professor Lo said, "Donating blood is a meaningful act, and every donation is a precious gift of life. There is no substitute for blood, and its shelf life is limited. The BTS needs to collect 650 units of blood daily to provide sufficient blood for clinical transfusions in all hospitals across the city. At present, the blood inventories have been depleted to a low level. I would like to call on more members of the public to participate by donating blood. One donation saves three lives. Your contribution is vital to saving others' lives.

"This Sunday (June 14) will be the World Blood Donor Day designated by the World Health Organization. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated blood donors. Your selfless contributions have enabled countless patients to overcome difficult times and regain their health. The Government has long lent its full support to blood donation drives. Various government departments regularly organise blood donation drives, with the annual event at the CGO as a highlight that demonstrates the Government's support for saving lives through blood donation. The Government will continue to fully support and promote blood donation to safeguard the health of citizens," he said.

Professor Lo also engaged with several medical students who have been actively organising promotion campaigns for blood donation. He encouraged them to continue spreading the message of saving lives through blood donation on campuses and in the community, thereby raising awareness of the importance of blood donation among young people and the general public, and inspiring them to join the ranks of blood donors.

To facilitate blood donation by members of the public, in addition to establishing blood donor centres across the city, the BTS also arranges mobile blood donation vehicles and mobile blood donation teams to visit various organisations and communities. Members of the public may make appointments via the "HK Blood" mobile application, the BTS website www.ha.org.hk/rcbts or call the donor centres in advance to reduce waiting times.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, demonstrated his unwavering support for saving lives through blood donation by participating in the blood donation drive organised by the Hong Kong Red Cross at the Central Government Offices today (June 9). Photo shows Professor Lo (third left) chatting with several medical students at the event. Also accompanying is the Senior Advisor (Secretary for Health's Office), Dr Joe Fan (fourth left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, demonstrated his unwavering support for saving lives through blood donation by participating in the blood donation drive organised by the Hong Kong Red Cross at the Central Government Offices today (June 9). Photo shows Professor Lo (sitting, front row, centre); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau (HHB), Dr Pang Fei-chau (sitting, front row, left); and the Senior Advisor (Secretary for Health's Office), Dr Joe Fan (sitting, front row, right), as well as other colleagues of the HHB and medical students appealing to members of the public to donate blood. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, demonstrated his unwavering support for saving lives through blood donation by participating in the blood donation drive organised by the Hong Kong Red Cross at the Central Government Offices today (June 9). Photo shows Professor Lo (back row, fifth left); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau (HHB), Dr Pang Fei-chau (back row, fourth right); the Senior Advisor (Secretary for Health's Office), Dr Joe Fan (back row, second right); and the Chief Executive and Medical Director of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong (back row, third right), as well as other colleagues of the HHB appealing to members of the public to donate blood. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (fifth right); the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (sixth left); the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho (fifth left); and the Chief Executive and Medical Director of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong (fourth left), demonstrate their unwavering support for saving lives through blood donation by participating in the blood donation drive organised by the Hong Kong Red Cross at the Central Government Offices today (June 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Red Cross organised a blood donation drive at the Central Government Offices today (June 9). Photo shows the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (back row, left), and the Chief Executive and Medical Director of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong (back row, right), supporting the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan (front row, left), who is donating blood. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, demonstrates his unwavering support for saving lives through blood donation by participating in the blood donation drive organised by the Hong Kong Red Cross at the Central Government Offices today (June 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (June 13) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-found images