The reduction in recurrent funding for the Hospital Authority proposed in the 2016-17 Budget will not affect frontline medical services.
Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man told the media today the adjustment is meant to encourage government departments and public bodies, including the Hospital Authority, to look at improving efficiency. However, in conducting the exercise, they must ensure service demand is fully met.
Regarding the first imported human case of avian influenza A (H7N9) this year, Dr Ko said the Centre for Health Protection is doing thorough contact tracing.
So far more than 160 contacts have been identified and more than 40 are close contacts who will be prescribed Tamiflu and kept under surveillance.
