Hong Kong's Health Authority Collaborates with Private Hospitals to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance Through Enhanced Infection Control.

CHP collaborates with private hospitals to enhance infection control measures and tackle antimicrobial resistance

The Infection Control Branch (ICB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) today (September 24) convened a meeting of the Working Group on Collaboration between the CHP and Private Hospitals on Infection Control (working group) to discuss the Antibiotic Stewardship Programme (ASP) and infection control measures with representatives from private hospitals across Hong Kong. The goal is to jointly combat antimicrobial resistance(AMR).

The Head of the ICB of the CHP, Dr Edmond Ma, said at the meeting that private hospitals are key stakeholders in preventing infectious diseases and combating AMR. AMR surveillance data in private hospitals in 2025 revealed that among all the Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from clinical specimens, the proportion of methicillin-resistant strains ranged from 9 to 24 per cent. While this is comparable to the corresponding proportions of 2024, the trends still require close monitoring.

"Optimising the use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, is one of the major strategies for controlling AMR under the Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (Action Plan).One of the objectives is to enhance ASP in private hospitals toreduce unnecessary prescriptions and curb the development of AMR," said Dr Ma.

At the meeting, representatives from the CHP and private hospitals exchanged views on the current status and practical implementation of ASP. Drawing on international and local experiences, the representatives focused their discussion on five key elements, including leadership support, monitoring of antibiotic usage, implementing and reporting ASP, and continuous education among healthcare workers. The CHP recommended that private hospitals strengthen their existing ASP in these five key areas to ensure that doctors within the hospital prescribe antibiotics based on scientific evidence and in accordance with patients' needs.

The CHP also reminded doctors at private hospitals that they can refer to the antimicrobialguidelines, IMPACT, which was compiled jointly by the CHP, the Hospital Authority, the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Medical Association and the Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association. Updated last year, the IMPACT serves as a reference for clinical treatment. It provides medication recommendations for different types of infections, enabling doctors in Hong Kong to prescribe appropriate antimicrobial drugs for inpatients. In addition, the working group held in-depth discussions on infection control measures implemented in hospitals, covering the optimisation of environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures as well as the maintenance of water-supply systems to ensure that the hospital environment effectively reduces the risk of transmission.

"The CHP will continue to hold regular meetings with private hospitals through the working group to strengthen collaboration on infection control and the promotion of appropriate antibiotic use, and to facilitate communication and the sharing of experiences between private hospitals and the public healthcare sector to jointly address the challenges posed by infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance," said Dr Ma.

The CHP set up the working group in 2011, comprising representatives from the CHP and infection control officers from local private hospitals. The group is cochaired by the Head of the ICB and a representative from the private hospital sector. The working group aims to facilitate co-ordination between the CHP and private hospitals on infection control measures and responses to AMR, thereby optimising surveillance and ASP to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Members of the public and healthcare professionals can visit the CHP's website to learn more about AMR and to review the details of the Action Plan (2023-2027).

CHP collaborates with private hospitals to enhance infection control measures and tackle antimicrobial resistance Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP collaborates with private hospitals to enhance infection control measures and tackle antimicrobial resistance Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Science in the Public Service 20th anniversary event - Science and Technology Fair starts tomorrow

To mark its 20th anniversary this year, the Science in the Public Service (SIPS) campaign will specially hold the Science and Technology Fair. Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), the fair is co-organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the HKO at the Special Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum from September 25 (Friday) to September 27 (Sunday). Admission is free.

The Chairman of the SIPS Campaign Organising Committee and Assistant Director of the HKO, Mr Lee Lap-shun, and the Acting Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Mr Ng Chi-wo, officiated at the opening ceremony today (September 24). Mr Lee said that the success of SIPS in public education over the years had been well recognised and attributable to the ongoing close collaboration among partners. It was expected that the fair would further motivate members of the public, especially youngsters, to develop a passion for science.

Since its launch in 2006, SIPS has been committed to promoting public education in science by organising a wide range of activity. It has thus far engaged over 40 government bureaux, departments and supporting organisations as partners. Themed "20 Years of 'Science in the Public Service': Improving Livelihood through Science and Innovation", the fair this year will present over 20 booths to showcase the latest achievements of science and technology applied in daily public services with a variety of exhibits, science experiments and games. Video highlights of Dr Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first payload expert, taking part in the national manned spaceflight mission, will also be screened.

SIPS will also launch a series of science lectures, scientific exploration activities, site visits, and workshops from October to December. For details, please visit the website at www.science.gov.hk.

Science in the Public Service 20th anniversary event - Science and Technology Fair starts tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Science in the Public Service 20th anniversary event - Science and Technology Fair starts tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Science in the Public Service 20th anniversary event - Science and Technology Fair starts tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases