DH upgrades facilities at Health Education Hall

The newly renovated Health Education Hall of the Department of Health (DH) was re-opened today (May 22) with upgraded facilities to provide free and more convenient services to the public.

The hall will provide a large variety of health promotion materials, such as publications and audio-visual information for public viewing. Five sets of computers will be provided for visitors to access related websites worldwide.

It will also provide free loan-out service on exhibition materials to encourage the organizing of health promotion activities. For the benefit of office workers, it will operate even during lunch hours.

Housed on the seventh floor of Southorn Centre in Wan Chai, the hall is managed by DH's Central Health Education Unit (CHEU).

In line with the DH's motto of "Partnership in Health", the upgraded facilities are part of the department's effort in promoting good health practice in the community, according to Dr Ray Choy, Head of CHEU.

"The hall will be open to the public free of charge. Visitors can have online access to multi-media databases and browse through various kinds of health pamphlets in a commodious and comfortable environment.

"Publications produced by CHEU and related journals on health promotion are available for public reading. Members of the public can also watch CHEU's video programmes in the hall," he said.

Dr Choy said five computers were newly set up in the Health Zone of the hall to enable visitors to gain free access to worldwide websites and databases on health promotion.

Individuals and organizations wishing to use the computers need to register in advance by filling in simple application forms and send them in person or by post/fax/email to CHEU.

Exhibition boards on six themes, namely, communicable diseases, nutrition, physical activity, injury prevention, mental health and tobacco control are also on display in the hall.

CHEU will also take note of the situation and display materials on health topics that are of public concern from time to time.

"As the hall is easily accessible, people working in the area can go there even during lunch time to learn more about ways to promote their health," Dr Choy added.

Other services in the Health Education Hall include:

• Video on show: DH's Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) and TV drama series titled "Medical Detective" jointly produced with Radio Television Hong Kong will be run non-stop on the Plasma TV in the hall.
• Health information dispatch: visual materials of health education will be broadcast
• Free loan out service: exhibition boards, audio-visual information and printing materials can be reviewed and borrowed from service counters. These services are especially useful for schools and organizations organizing health promotional activities and conducting topical research. Selected health materials are on sale there and the list can be found in http://www.cheu.gov.hk.
• Pamphlet distribution: A wide range of health education pamphlets and booklets are available for free collection.

Dr Choy said individuals or organizations are welcome to visit the hall to get or review the health promotion materials produced by CHEU.

For enquiries, they can email to enquiry@cheu.gov.hk, or call 2572 1476. More resources on health promotion can be found in CHEU's Health Zone website (http://www.cheu.gov.hk), and by calling the 24-hour health education hotline (2833 0111).

The opening hours of the hall are from 8.30 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday, including lunch hours, and from 8.30 am to 1 pm on Saturday.

With effect from July 1, 2006 , the opening hours will be extended to 6 pm from Monday to Friday to tie in with the government's five-day week scheme.

End/Monday, May 22, 2006