The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, has held meetings with the health authorities in Hong Kong. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in healthcare services in the two cities.

The meeting with Hong Kong’s Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing Man, and with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority, Mr Leung Pak Yin, was held on 8 October. The same day Mr Tam led a delegation on a visit to medical facilities in Macao’s counterpart Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Mr Tam said that Macao’s ageing population had led to increased demand for healthcare services. He added he believed the completion of the Islands District Medical Complex at Cotai, and of other facilities, would help enhance the standard of Macao’s medical services.

In the meeting, Mr Tam said he hoped Hong Kong’s medical professionals could share with counterparts in Macao – as existing Macao healthcare facilities are optimised and new ones constructed – their experience and professional advice. He said the aim was to strengthen cooperation and optimise quality of healthcare in the two SARs.

The delegation visited three hospitals under the management of Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority. Members of the delegation were briefed on the hospitals’ service model, in particular their approach to serving an ageing population. The round of visits included an explanation of a telephone service – operated by medical personnel and provided by Hong Kong’s Tang Shiu Kin Hospital – for evaluating the condition of elderly patients that are discharged from the hospital and for following up cases.

The delegation also visited emergency facilities at Hong Kong’s Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, including an emergency ward and a heliport used for emergency transport.

The other members of the delegation included: the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Lai Ieng Kit; the consultant to the Office of the Secretary, Mr Tai Wa Hou; the Director of the Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion; the Deputy Director of the Health Bureau and Director of Conde S. Januário Hospital, Mr Kuok Cheong U; and the head of medical affairs for the Hospital, Mr Lei Wai Seng.