Chief Executive John Lee

The Department (of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong), as a member of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine's School of Clinical Medicine, has established itself as a centre of excellence regionally and internationally. I am proud to note that with your collective efforts, the University of Hong Kong's subject of medicine is now ranked Asia's Number 2.

Your persistent contribution to the medical sector is described aptly by this year's forum theme, "Safeguarding Human Health for a Century & Beyond".

Public health security is a major area of national security. I commend the contribution of the Department of Medicine in safeguarding public health and in maintaining the safety and quality of healthcare services and the public healthcare system, thereby protecting the people's well-being.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is devoted to enhancing healthcare services provided to the people of Hong Kong. For that, we have put forward the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, with a vision to improve the overall health status of the population, provide accessible and coherent healthcare services, and establish a sustainable healthcare system. We have also extended the coverage of district health service to all 18 districts in Hong Kong.

In this financial year, we will provide a recurrent subvention of some $90 billion to the Hospital Authority, representing an increase of close to 6% from last year, after excluding provisions for tackling the pandemic.

The additional resources will enhance such areas as clinical services for patients suffering from serious diseases, providing additional public hospital beds and operating theatre sessions, a new service for drug collection and delivery, and promoting the use of telehealth services.

Ladies and gentlemen, medicine is crucial to society. Medical professionals played a vital role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, and have been on the frontlines of curing patients, developing treatments and vaccination, and educating the public on healthcare measures. The concerted efforts of the medical sector in promoting public health deserve our utmost respect and continuous support.

Please join me in giving another round of your most enthusiastic applause to our medical professionals!

Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the kick-off ceremony of the 100th anniversary of the Department of Medicine of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong and opening of the 27th Hong Kong Medical Forum on May 13.