The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (April 24) published its annual report for 2019 including the financial statements of the Exchange Fund. The report reviews trends and major events in monetary and banking affairs, and reports on the HKMA's work during 2019. It also sets out the HKMA's work plans for 2020.
      
     The HKMA Annual Report 2019 is available on the HKMA website free of charge. It may also be ordered at $100 per copy. The publication order form can be downloaded from the HKMA website.

     Police today (April 24) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Pat Heung.

     Leung Kin-fat, aged 80, went missing after he left his residence in Shek Tau Wai yesterday afternoon (April 23). His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 55 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black shorts and pink slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3128, 6273 5787 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The 57th issue of "HA Risk Alert" is published today (April 24) by the Hospital Authority (HA) as a risk management and communication initiative to further strengthen the reporting and monitoring of medical incidents in public hospitals.
 
     In the fourth quarter of 2019 (October – December), there were eight Sentinel Events reported, including five cases of retained instrument after surgery/interventional procedure, one case of inpatient suicide, one case of wrong side procedure and one case of other category. Among the 10 reported Serious Untoward Events, there were nine related to medication error and one patient misidentification.
 
     "Subsequent to incident review and analysis of root causes of these incidents, important lessons of patient safety are identified, while recommendations are made and shared in this publication to avoid similar events in future," the HA spokesperson said.
 
     The Hospital Authority Head Office has released the latest "HA Risk Alert" to all staff. It can also be accessed by the public at www.ha.org.hk/riskalert . "HA Risk Alert" is published on a quarterly basis and posted on the HA website every last working Friday in the months of January, April, July and October. The next issue is scheduled on July 31, 2020 (Friday).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 24) investigating a suspected puffer fish poisoning case, and hence reminded members of the public not to consume puffer fish.

     The case involves a 65-year-old man, who developed facial numbness, generalised weakness and respiratory failure about two hours after consuming cooked puffer fish, caught by himself in local waters, for lunch at home yesterday (April 23).

     He attended the accident and emergency department of Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) on the same day and was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit of PWH for further management. He is now in a critical condition.

     Investigations by the CHP are continuing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that consumption of puffer fish is the main cause of food poisoning from tetrodotoxin. Tetrodotoxin is a potent water-soluble neurotoxin that can affect the central nervous system.

     "Organs such as the liver, gonads and skin of puffer fish have high concentrations of tetrodotoxin. Being heat-stable, the toxin does not decompose upon cooking, boiling, drying or freezing. Tetrodotoxin intoxication can cause problems in respiration or circulation and is potentially fatal. There is no known antidote or antitoxin. Members of the public are advised to avoid purchasing and preparing puffer fish or unknown fish for consumption to prevent tetrodotoxin-related food poisoning," the spokesman said.
 

     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Labour Department (LD) will resume all counter services on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except public holidays) from next Monday (April 27) until further notice.
     
     Kwun Tong Occupational Health Clinic will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and Fanling Occupational Health Clinic on Tuesday and Thursday (except public holidays).
 
     The LD will review the situation in due course and make further announcements as appropriate.
 
     For enquiries, members of the public can call the LD's 24-hour enquiry hotline at 2717 1771 (the hotline is provided by 1823), or email the department at enquiry@labour.gov.hk.