Mr Tam Chon Weng (centre) visits the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Government is seeking closer partnership with the mainland’s National Health and Family Planning Commission, including the possibility of Macao having access to a special team of medical professionals based on the mainland. Macao medical professionals would be able to liaise with them, and benefit from their knowledge. Such an arrangement would also assist Macao in the development of its own medical facilities. The mainland-based team of medical professionals would be able to provide their fellow professionals in Macao with advice on the latest developments in surgical procedure and with advice on complex cases. They could also share their experience in treating rare diseases. If necessary they could also come to Macao to demonstrate surgical operations and procedures. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, mentioned the possibility of such an initiative during a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on 23 May with the Minister of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Ms Li Bin. Mr Tam and Government representatives joined China’s delegation in Geneva to attend the 69th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Assembly’s agenda included discussions between health ministers from WHO member states on responses to health emergencies, and the latest trends in communicable and non-communicable diseases and the management of such diseases. During the meeting with Ms Li, the Secretary also proposed that medical professionals from Macao’s Health Bureau might receive some training at health institutes on the mainland. Macao would conduct – as planned – exercises to measure the city’s capacity to respond to medical emergency situations. It would also establish certain emergency response mechanisms in order to fulfil an agreement with the mainland authorities on public health emergency issues. Mr Tam also met with the Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Ko Wing-man. Topics discussed included: the strengthening of medical training; an emergency response mechanism for public health incidents; patient transferral; management of hospitals; and issues relating to bone marrow transplants. As a result of the meeting, the two parties reached consensus on several issues. During his visit to Geneva, the Secretary is also scheduled to meet the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Ms Margaret Chan. The Macao Government delegation included: the Director of the Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion; the Deputy Director of the Health Bureau and Director of the Conde S. Januário Hospital, Mr Kuok Cheong U; and consultants to the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. The World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the World Health Organization. Its main functions are to stipulate WHO policies, supervise its finances, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The 69th World Health Assembly, themed “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, is being held from 23 to 28 May in Geneva.
