Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today met Guangdong and Shenzhen health officials and their delegations to explore ways to boost co-operation in healthcare.

The meetings were held separately with Party Secretary and Health Commission of Guangdong Province Director Zhu Hong, and Party Secretary and Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission Director General Wu Hongyan.

Prof Lo noted that in recent years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has begun co-operating with Guangdong and Shenzhen in multiple aspects, including initiatives such as using Hong Kong registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the GBA Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes.

The visiting programmes provide valuable clinical exchanges and learning opportunities for healthcare practitioners and strengthen the synergy effect in healthcare manpower and clinical services of the two places, enhancing the quality of healthcare services in the GBA, the health chief said.

He added that under the principles of complementarity, the Hong Kong SAR Government will push forward co-operation with Guangdong and Shenzhen in such areas as cross-boundary healthcare services, visits and training of healthcare staff and medical technology exchanges to contribute to the building of a “Healthy Bay Area” and the overall development of the nation.

The health commissions of Guangdong and Shenzhen also attended the Hospital Authority Convention during which Mr Zhu delivered a keynote speech.