Putting up lines of defense against communicable diseases Dr. Lo Wing-lok 5 March 2004

The lines of defense 1.The lines without: a. The Mainland b. The rest of the world 2.Between the two: border and entry points 3.The lines within: a. The community b. Primary care system c. Hospital system d. Public health system

The Mainland An average of over 200,000 people crossing the border every day Major supplier of food and water “One country two systems”: “River water not to encroach on well water” = ‘river’ not talking well enough to ‘well’ and vice versa

The Mainland Intelligence exchange on communicable diseases: a. Ministry of Health b. Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao

The rest of the world

Border and entry points Temperature check Health declaration Mosquito-ovitraps at selected entry points Import embargo

The lines within: The community

defending itself

The lines within: The Community

The lines within: primary care

The lines within: hospital system

The public health system Health Welfare and Food Bureau: Department of Health Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Agriculture, Fishery and Conservation Department Environment Transport and Works Bureau Environmental Protection Department

The public health system Setting up of a “Centre for Health Protection” Reorganization of the policy bureaus

Thank you