Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man visited Queen Elizabeth Hospital and United Christian Hospital today to observe their work during the Lunar New Year holiday.
He also stopped by Kwun Tong Community Health Centre and spoke with some patients.
Dr Ko noted that there is a great demand for public health services during the Lunar New Year period. He said the city’s accident and emergency departments see an average of 5,000 patients a day, which rises to more than 6,000 during the peak season.
He added that on the second day of the Lunar New Year, more than 7,600 patients had visited emergency departments - a record high for the winter season - and he expects the demand for public health services to increase after the holidays.
As Hong Kong has entered the flu season, public hospitals have added 200 beds as a contingency measure.