The Government would recruit medical specialists from overseas and the mainland in addition to employing more local staff to meet Macao’s increasing healthcare needs.

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, speaking to reporters after the opening of a healthcare centre in Taipa on 27 May, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission would provide support in recruiting medical specialists.

The hiring of 529 local staff was in progress.

The Government would consider extending the opening hours of health centres with great public demand, following the trials conducted in the Conde S. Januário public hospital. If this went well, all health centres would operate longer hours, he said.

When asked, Mr Tam stressed the Government would not seek economic growth at the expense of the health of casino workers and tourists, noting that smoke-related illness or deaths, at 20 per cent every year, is a burden to government expenses.

A full smoking ban in casino would be implemented progressively, based on researches on residents, workers and tourists, he said.

Mr Tam said the Government would strengthen its tourism strategy to attract more visitors if fewer people visit casinos due to the ban.