Press Release - May 5, 2003

An organisation similiar to the United States' Centres for Disease Control is being considered for Hong Kong.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, said today the HKSAR Government is considering the move as there is a possibility that other infectious diseases might affect Hong Kong in future.

The HKSAR Government has begun a study on establishing a CDC-type organisation to prevent infectious disease.

"The Hong Kong Jockey Club charity foundation has in principle pledged HK$500 million to support the HKSAR Government's effort to establish a CDC-type organisation and to support medical research, training of professional staff and civic education," Mr Tung said.

The HKSAR Government will ask the HKSAR Legislative Council for HK$500 million to establish a foundation to encourage our universities to enhance their studies on SARS and other infectious diseases.

Mr Tung also outlined the HKSAR Government's next steps in its SARS fight.

Taskforce set up to keep HK clean
The HKSAR Chief Secretary, Mr. Donald Tsang will lead a cross-bureau, interdepartmental taskforce to develop short- and long-term measures to enhance hygiene and cleanliness.

The taskforce will study how to improve town planning, building design, maintenance and management.

Another taskforce headed by HKSAR Financial Secretary, Mr. Antony Leung, will make suggestions on revitalising Hong Kong's economy.

Gov't earmarks HK$1b for revitalising HK's economy
Mr Tung said the HKSAR Government has earmarked HK$1 billion for revitalising Hong Kong's economy and it will ask the HKSAR Legislative Council for funds in the coming weeks.

"Our plan is that as soon as the World Health Organisation lifts the travel advisory, the whole of Hong Kong will be involved in a promotion exercise," Mr Tung said.

HKSAR Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, has been assigned to study how to best use the power of the community to battle the disease.

Mr Tung said Hong Kong needs to work closely with Guangdong Province to win the battle against SARS, and he will meet its governor later this week to discuss how the two jurisdictions can work together to contain the disease.

Discussions with WHO to start soon
Mr Tung said the HKSAR Government will discuss the travel warning against Hong Kong with the World Health Organisation in the coming week.

"Our hope is eventually to persuade WHO to lift the travel advisory against us," he said.

"WHO obviously has their criteria as to how we will move ahead. But I believe, whether we succeed or not, ultimately depends on whether we can continue to bring the number of daily confirmed SARS cases further down from today's single-digit number."

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.