Hospital Authority Celebrates 77th Anniversary of People's Republic of China with Flag-Raising Ceremony

Hospital Authority flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) held a flag-raising ceremony in celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China today (October 1).

The ceremony was held in the HA Building. The national flag was hoisted alongside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) flag to a rendition of the national anthem, symbolising wishes for the enduring prosperity, peace and stability of the motherland.

About 200 guests attended the ceremony, including the Deputy Director-General of the Social Development Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Ye Shuiqiu; the Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan; the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Libby Lee; members of the HA Board and Hospital Governing Committees, as well as senior executives of HA Head Office, clusters and hospitals.

Mr Fan said, "This year holds exceptional significance for our country's development. It marks not only the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, but also the commencement of the National 15th Five-Year Plan period. All staffs of the HA are profoundly proud of our country's robust strength and world-renowned development achievements. With the unique strengths under 'one country, two systems' and Hong Kong's role as a bridge linking the country and the world, Hong Kong has maintained its prosperity, stability and development. Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan proactively aligns with national development strategies, so as to better integrate into and serve the national development. As the major provider of public healthcare services in Hong Kong, the HA will continue to fully support the HKSAR Government's administration to safeguard the health of the community, deepen cross-boundary medical collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and accelerate the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, thereby contributing to the key national strategy of 'Healthy China'."

Hospital Authority flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hospital Authority flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hospital Authority flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hospital Authority flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hospital Authority flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index, measured temperatures generally over Hong Kong, and the "Extremely Hot Weather" Special Alert. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

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