Following is a question by Dr the Hon Pierre Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, in the Legislative Council today (April 3):
 
Question:
 
     It has been reported that Hong Kong identity cards issued respectively from December 28, 2000 to July 31, 2011 and since August 1, 2011 have numbers beginning with "R" and "M", and a majority of those persons holding such identity cards (R and M persons) are new arrivals to Hong Kong. Regarding the use of public healthcare services by R and M persons, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it knows the respective total numbers of new cases of R and M persons being diagnosed, in public hospitals during the period between 2013 and 2018, with the cancers set out in the table below; set out a breakdown in the table below by gender of such persons and the age group to which they belonged;
 

 
(2) whether it knows the respective total numbers of new and old cases of R and M persons receiving diagnoses and treatments in public hospitals in each year between 2013 and 2018, with a tabulated breakdown by gender of such persons, the age group to which they belonged (as set out in the table above) and the following diagnoses and treatments as well as services they received: renal replacement therapy (including peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis), cataract surgery, treatment for Hepatitis B and specialist outpatient services of psychiatry, chest, paediatrics and cardiology;
 
(3) given that countries such as Singapore, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States require a person who applies for residence to pass a health check (including a confirmation that the person has not suffered from any infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, serious diseases or chronic diseases), whether the Government will, by making reference to this practice, impose a similar requirement on those persons coming to Hong Kong for settlement, with a view to relieving the burden on the public healthcare system; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) whether the Government will approach the Central Authorities to gain an understanding of the anticipated number of Mainland residents who will come to Hong Kong for settlement on Permits for Proceeding to Hong Kong and Macao (commonly known as "One-way Permits") in the coming 10 years as well as their age and gender distribution, so as to facilitate the making of accurate projections on the demand for and the capacities of healthcare and other public services in Hong Kong in future, and the corresponding planning work; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Having consulted the Security Bureau, the Department of Health (DH) and the Hospital Authority (HA), reply to the various parts of the question raised by Dr the Hon Pierre Chan is as follows:
 
(1) and (2) Under the existing policy, HA collects from its patients their personal data for healthcare / general related purposes only. In this respect, the requested statistics on patients with subgroup breakdowns by prefix of their Identity Card numbers are not available.
 
(3) Local health authorities will enforce appropriate prevention and control measures in response to the latest epidemic situation in the region. Currently, an effective system for prevention and control of infectious diseases is in place in Hong Kong. In order to provide protection to the local community against infectious diseases, the DH coordinates and implements a series of public health programmes covering disease surveillance, outbreak management, health promotion, risk communication, emergency preparedness and contingency planning, infection control, vaccinations, as well as training and research. According to the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap 599), medical practitioners are required to report suspected and confirmed cases of notifiable infectious diseases to the DH for investigation and follow-up actions as appropriate. The established system for prevention and control of infectious diseases has been effective. The DH will continue to review, from time to time, the mechanism to protect public health. Other measures, such as requiring New Arrivals to undertake physical examinations, are not considered necessary at this stage.
 
(4) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government exchanges views with the Mainland authorities from time to time on the views of various sectors of society concerning Mainland residents coming to Hong Kong for family reunion.
 
     For a long time, the Census and Statistics Department updates population projections statistics every two to three years taking into account the latest developments of the population, including the new arrivals, so as to provide a common basis for reference by the Government for formulating policies in housing, healthcare, education, social welfare, etc., as well as in planning public services and facilities.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

    The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 3) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Castle Peak Beach in Tuen Mun District as Grade 2, which means the water quality has improved and the beach is suitable for swimming. The red flag has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted on the beach earlier on due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

     Members of the public who are interested in joining the “When Dreams Blossom” photo competition of the Hong Kong Flower Show are reminded to submit their entries by 6pm on April 16.
 
     All entries with completed entry forms should be submitted by mail or in person during office hours to the Secretariat of the Hong Kong Flower Show, 11/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin.
 
     Jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), the competition is divided into three categories: Category A – Portrait of TVB Artistes and Miss Hong Kong; Category B – Flowers; and Category C – Snapshots.
 
     Entries for Category A, comprising the Open and Student Sections, should be photos taken during the shooting session for TVB artistes and Miss Hong Kong on March 14 at the flower show showground in Victoria Park. Entries for Category B and Category C should be photos taken at the showground and related to the show.
 
     For details of the photo competition, please refer to the leaflet and entry form available at the flower show webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2019/photo_rs.html.
 
     Results of the competition will be announced in June on the flower show webpage. Winners will be notified in writing for the collection of prizes.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2601 8260.
 
     The flower show was organised by the LCSD. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust supported the flower show for the seventh consecutive year and has been its major sponsor since 2014. The photo competition is sponsored by Vitec Imaging Distribution (HK) Limited and Tamron Industries (Hong Kong) Limited.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 3) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District; and Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
     
     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (April 3) said that 13 general out-patient clinics (see table below) will provide holiday clinic service in Ching Ming Festival this Friday (April 5). Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone system as usual for an appointment.  
      
     The spokesperson remarked that the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments in public hospitals will also operate as usual during the holiday to serve the patients with urgent medical needs. The established triage system will ensure priority treatment for critical and emergency patients according to their clinical conditions. The queuing time is expected to be longer for semi-urgent and non-urgent patients as there may be more patients attending A&E Departments during the holiday. The HA appeals to the public for understanding and co-operation while waiting for consultations. Non-urgent patients are advised to consider seeking consultations at general out-patient clinics, private doctors or the 24-hour clinics of private hospitals.
      
     To help find the appropriate family doctor and related clinic service of their choice, members of the public are welcome to call the HA Infoline (2882 4866) for information on holiday general out-patient clinic service, or browse the Primary Care Directory of Department of Health at http://www.pcdirectory.gov.hk.
 

Consultation hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm