Press Release - April 22, 2003

A HK$200-million fund is to be set up to boost training and financial support to medical and healthcare workers in Hong Kong who have contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Hong Kong�s Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa made the announcement after visiting the Headquarters of Hospital Authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today.

Mr Tung thanked frontline healtcare workers and the HKSAR Hospital Authority administrative staff for their selfless commitment in the battle against the disease.

During the visit, Mr Tung met the authority's senior management and was briefed on the latest developments about the disease and treatment for the patients.

He also talked to a number of frontline medical and nursing staff, including some who have recovered from atypical pneumonia, to share their experience in the fight against the disease.

For updated information and latest news on respiratory tract infections, please visit the special home page on the subject at www.info.gov.hk/info/infection-e.htm, and the HKSAR Department of Health website at www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm as well as the e-bulletin at www.news.gov.hk/en/index.shtml.