2005-04-28
A team of 10 medical and healthcare professionals from the Guangdong Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have just completed a three-week professional attachment in Hong Kong.
The programme was organized by the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).
Controller of the CHP, Dr Leung Pak-yin, today (April 28) said the programme was launched with an aim to strengthen the co-operation and experience sharing between Guangdong and Hong Kong healthcare and medical professionals in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
"This programme was the first of its kind organised under an agreement reached among Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong during a tripartite meeting last month on the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
"We hope that through mutual visits, training and information exchange, the medical and healthcare professionals of the three places could enhance their expertise and experience.
"They could also familiarize themselves with the operations of their counterparts so as to better protect public health in the region," Dr Leung said.
The Guangdong CDC team is led by Dr Zheng Hui-zhen, deputy director of Institute of Epidemic Disease Prevention. During their stay in Hong Kong from April 6 to 28, members of the team attached to different units to gain a better understanding of their works and shared their experiences with the local professionals.
These units included the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, Surveillance and Epidemiology Branch, Infection Control Branch, as well as the FEHD's Pest Control Advisory Section.
They participated in a variety of training activities and saw for themselves the work and management of the CHP's laboratories, including those on vector borne diseases, AIDS and virology.
During the three-week programme, they were also briefed on the mode of operation and methodology of epidemiology investigations, the surveillance system and contingency plans on communicable diseases, as well as the immunization programme and its implementation.
The delegation also gained first-hand knowledge on the investigations and management of food poisoning cases.
Arrangements were also made for them to visit the Princess Margaret Hospital to have a better understanding of the clinical management of infectious diseases and infection control measures.
"The programme is very fruitful and mutually beneficial in establishing a closer collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong health professionals.
"We look forward to having more frequent and sustainable sharing of expertise and experience in different aspects of disease prevention and control.
"Arrangement will also be made for local medical and healthcare professionals to attend attachment programmes in relevant units in Guangdong. This will enable us to learn the experience of our counterpart in preventing and controlling communicable diseases," Dr Leung added.
End/Thursday, April 28, 2005