The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) has been committed to promoting the development of healthcare technology to enhance patient experience and the quality of clinical services through innovative technologies. Recently, the research team at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH), led by medical physicists Dr Carrison Tong and Mr Oliver Chan, was awarded the 2024 Global Innovation and Tech Excellence Award for Innovative E-Health Solutions Award (Public Sector) from the World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance, often referred to as the "Oscar Award in the Information and Communications Industry", for their efforts in successfully developing a new technology for creating ultrasound-visible anatomical models with tactile reality.
 
     With the maturation of 3D printing technology, the PYNEH team has been striving to develop anatomical models with tactile reality to be used by healthcare professionals during clinical training. Dr Tong said, "The model's surface offers tactile realism. When healthcare staff conduct puncture training with the equipment, the model closely simulates the sensation of human skin, muscles, organs and blood vessels. It is produced using actual Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography data, together with AI-aided segmentation and 3D printing technology. Additionally, the model enables healthcare staff to visualise internal structures through ultrasound scanning."
 
     Currently, the PYNEH utilises the models in clinical training across various specialties, including neurosurgery, surgery, medicine, accident and emergency, paediatrics, as well as intensive care unit. The hospital team custom-designed the models to meet the specific needs of healthcare staff, while keeping production costs low. Dr Tong said he believes that this innovative technology will benefit different specialties within the hospital, enhancing simulation training for healthcare professionals and continually improving patient safety.
 
     In addition, the HA was recently awarded the highest maturity level, Stage 7, on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. As the first healthcare organisation in Hong Kong to attain this achievement, it not only shows that the HA is internationally recognised in areas such as smart health and healthcare information management but also marks a remarkable milestone in its electronic medical records development.
 
     The Head of Information Technology and Health Informatics of the HA, Dr Cheung Ngai-tseung, said, "This accomplishment across all 43 public hospitals and institutions of the HA underscores the HA's commitment to integrating advanced electronic medical records and analytics to enhance patient-centric services and operational efficiency."
 
     The HA will continue to enhance digital capabilities through advancements in clinical management systems, smart hospital initiatives, workflow optimisation, and integration of data analytics and interoperability to drive improvements across clinical and operational domains.

          

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 (October 20) 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; Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach in Islands District; Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau announced today (October 20) appointments to the Museum Advisory Committee (MAC) and its three standing sub-committees, namely the Art Sub-committee (ASC), the History Sub-committee (HSC) and the Science Sub-committee (SSC), with the appointment of Professor Douglas So Cheung-tak as Chairperson of the MAC, Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen as Chairperson of the ASC, Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho as Chairperson of the HSC and Professor Alexander Wai Ping-kong as the Chairperson of the SSC.

     All appointments are for a two-year term up to October 19, 2026.

     The MAC and its three standing sub-committees, established on October 20, 2016, comprise members of different backgrounds with a great wealth of professional expertise and experience relevant to the work of the museums, including professionals, academics, museum experts, collectors, art promoters, entrepreneurs, marketing and public relations experts, and community leaders. The MAC and its three standing sub-committees advise the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on strategies for development, promotion and management of the public museums. 

     A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau thanked all the Chairperson and members of the MAC and its standing sub-committees for their ardent support and invaluable contributions in the past years, including Professor Ching Pak-chung, the outgoing SSC Chairperson; nine outgoing MAC members (Mr Aaron Raj Chandrasakaran, Ms Liza Cheung Lai-sang, Dr Allen Fung Yuk-lun, Ms Elaine Kwok, Dr Kwong Chi-man, Mr Lau Hang-on, Mr Alan Lau Ka-ming, Ms Helen So Hiu-ming and Mr Eliott Hancock Suen), and six outgoing co-opted members (Ir Thomas Chan Kwok-cheung, Mr Chan Sing, Ms Fanny Iu Kai-fan, Mr Freeman Lau Siu-hong, Ms Lo Ning and Mr James Mok Hon-fai), and looked forward to receiving the valuable advice of the new MAC and its standing sub-committees on the development of the public museums. 
     â€‹
     The membership list and terms of reference of the MAC are as follows:
 
 
Chairperson
Professor Douglas So Cheung-tak
 
Members
Professor Karen Chan Ka-yin*
Mr Michael Chan Sze-wah
Ms Rowena Cheung Po-man
Ms Amanda Cheung Zee-yin*
Mr Chiu Tsang-hei
Mr Stanley Choi Tak-shing*
Dr Crystal Fok Lo-ming
Ms Elizabeth Fung Hoi-yung*
Mr Andy Hei Kao-chiang
Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen
Mr Christopher Kwok Kai-wang*
Mr Edmund Lai Man-kit
Ms Tendy Lam Pui-tung*
Mr Lam Shu-kam*
Ms Josephine Lee Yuk-chi
Mr James Li Tsz-shu*
Mr Warren Luk Hua
Ms Erica Ma Yun
Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho
Ms Joyce Ng Sheung-ching*
Ms Provides Ng Tsing-yin*
Dr Ng Tsz-yan
Dr Chloe Suen Yin-wah
Mr James Tong Wai-pong
Professor Alexander Wai Ping-kong*
Dr Jimmy Wong Kam-yiu
Ms Anna Yau Wai-yu
 
Official Members
Representative of Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau*
Representative of Tourism Commission*
Representative of Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency*
Representative of Education Bureau*
Representative of Leisure and Cultural Services Department*
 
*Newly appointed Members

 
Terms of Reference
 
     To advise the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services on a wide range of subject matters concerning the public museums and related offices managed by the LCSD:
 

• positioning, image-building and branding;
• business development strategies including but not limited to acquisition and use of museum collections, organisation of exhibitions and education programmes, identification of research projects, sponsorship and partnership initiatives;
• marketing and publicity strategies on the promotion of the museums both locally, in the Mainland and overseas;
• development of community engagement strategies to reach out to a wider community and stakeholders (e.g. local artists, collectors, local and overseas museums, cultural organisations, and educational institutions);
• measures to strengthen the operational efficiency and accountability of public museums; and
• any other matters as proposed by the LCSD.

     â€‹The membership lists and terms of reference of the three standing sub-committees are attached in Annexes 1 to 3.

     The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival opened today (October 19) at the Hong Kong Coliseum, kicking off over 260 events to be held in the "9+2" cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) from today until November 24. The Festival is presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
      
     In a video speech addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival is an annual mega event for the arts and culture industry in the GBA. This year also marks the first time for Hong Kong to be the host city of the Festival, presenting audiences with the rich arts and cultural essence of GBA cities. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its ongoing support to the arts and cultural exchanges and collaborations in the GBA, enriching the cultural soft power of the region. He is confident that this year's Festival can further promote cultural integration and talent exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and inject new creativity and vitality into arts and cultural development, while showcasing to the world the new landscape of a bay area for culture.
      
     Mr Lee noted that with the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is dedicated to developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, and has been steadfastly presenting rich and diverse arts and cultural mega events. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique advantages of enjoying strong national support while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world under the principle of "one country, two systems", thereby driving its cultural exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland and overseas countries, promoting Chinese culture, and telling the good stories of China on the global stage.
      
     The Deputy Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, Ms Zhao Hong, gave her video speech at the ceremony. Officiating guests at today's opening ceremony included the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Shuguang; and the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Cheang Kai-Meng. 
      
     The opening programme of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, "Sound River", featured a new work of the same name written by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. This concert is also one of the highlight events in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Under Tan's baton, the concert tonight featured the newly formed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra, comprising over 100 members from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and the Macao Orchestra, to perform the world premiere of "Sound River". Sixteen meticulously crafted short videos capturing the vanishing sounds, instruments and culture of the ancient cities along Tan's journey from Europe, through the Arab world to Central Asia, then to the GBA in the past 12 years, were screened during the performance. Through interweaving light, shadow and music, audience members were able to explore the past and future of the "Silk Road of sound". In addition, the concert featured the indigenous singer Wuyuntana and Mainland singer Zhou Shen, who delivered the concert's theme song, bringing the concert to a final climax. The brilliant performance won warm applause from the audiences at the end of the performance.
      
     The concert was broadcast live on various radio, television and online platforms, including RTHK Radio 4 (FM97.6-98.9), RTHK TV32, Phoenix Hong Kong Channel (Channel 85), the Festival website (www.gbacxlo.gov.hk), the RTHK website (www.rthk.hk), Ifeng (www.ifeng.com) and Feng Show APP, allowing audiences around the world to enjoy the evening live performance online and offline at the same time.
      
     This year's Festival, with the theme of "Integration in Diversity – Power and Possibilities", aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the GBA cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line-up of the Festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

              

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (October 19) that one Common Squirrel Monkey of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) that was put under isolated surveillance was found dead today. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will conduct necropsy on the animal body, to ascertain if the cause of death was the same as the other cases earlier.

     The monkey is one of two Common Squirrel Monkeys put under isolation and medication since October 16 when their movement response were found unusual. At present, the remaining Common Squirrel Monkey and one De Brazza's Monkey that has been isolated since October 13 are under isolated surveillance and given medication. A total of ten animals of the HKZBG have passed away since October 13.

     The LCSD will continue to close the Mammals Section of the HKZBG, to closely monitor the health conditions of the animals, and continue to provide protective gear and health monitoring for staff who take care of animals. At present, the health conditions of staff concerned are normal.