Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau, joined by Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam, will depart for Geneva, Switzerland, today to attend the World Health Organization's (WHO) 77th World Health Assembly, and visit pharmaceutical companies and a hospital in Basel and Zurich, to enhance exchanges and co-operation on health and medical innovation between Hong Kong and Switzerland.

The theme of this year’s assembly is “All for Health, Health for All”, with key discussions revolving around universal health coverage, infection prevention and control, International Health Regulations, antimicrobial resistance, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, health promotion, and the WHO’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies. Prof Lo will attend the assembly on May 27 as a member of the Chinese delegation.

He will also take the opportunity to exchange views with senior WHO officials on public health-related issues.

Following the assembly, Prof Lo will depart for Basel and Zurich to visit Novartis, Roche and the University Hospital of Zurich.

He will introduce to experts and academics the measures put forward in Hong Kong to develop into a health and medical innovation hub, enhance prevailing drug evaluation and registration mechanism, and foster clinical trial development.

Prof Lo will return to Hong Kong on May 31. During his absence, Under Secretary for Health Dr Libby Lee will be Acting Secretary.