The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, visited Tung Chung today (June 21) to learn about the North Lantau Hospital (NLH) Phase II development and the operation of the Pei Mei Village Refuse Collection Point.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Island District Council (IDC), Mr Chow Yuk-tong, and the District Officer (Islands), Mr Anthony Li, Professor Chan first inspected the site between the soccer pitch at On Tung Street and NLH, which is reserved for the hospital's Phase II development.
After that, she visited NLH to understand more about the Phase II development as well as the additional services provided by the hospital and the services of its community health centre.
"The Hospital Authority (HA) has been developing the medical services provided by NLH in an orderly manner to meet the increasing medical needs in the district. In 2018-19, NLH will provide 50 additional beds, comprising 20 acute beds, 20 extended care beds and 10 ambulatory care beds. Moreover, paediatric and urology services will also come into operation," she said.
Professor Chan noted that the Government has been striving to take forward major public hospital development projects to cater for the growing healthcare service demand and to improve existing services. The Government earmarked $200 billion to implement the first 10-year Hospital Development Plan (HDP) in 2016, including the construction of a new acute hospital, redevelopment and expansion of 11 hospitals, and construction of three community health centres and a supporting services centre. The HDP will provide more healthcare facilities including some 5 000 additional beds and 94 additional operating theatres as well as increasing the capacity of specialist and general outpatient clinics.
Professor Chan noted that the Government has invited the HA to start planning the second HDP to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services due to demographic changes.
Professor Chan then inspected the Pa Mei Refuse Collection Point (RCP) in Tung Chung and was briefed by staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on the hygiene conditions of the RCP and the application of Internet protocol cameras. She learned that beyond daily cleaning services, the FEHD also deploys staff to strengthen patrol and enforcement actions to combat illegal dumping of refuse.
The Government attaches great importance to the environmental hygiene conditions of various districts. The FEHD has been improving refuse collection services, and is contemplating the introduction of new facilities to help enhance work efficiency, such as the adoption of refuse bins and hydraulic refuse hoppers equipped with compaction devices.
Moreover, the FEHD has commenced a one-year pilot scheme on installation of Internet protocol cameras at about 80 refuse deposit black spots in the territory to combat illegal dumping of refuse with a view to improving environmental hygiene.
Earlier in the day, Professor Chan also took the opportunity to meet with members of the IDC to listen to their views on various issues relating to healthcare and environmental hygiene in the district.
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