Overseas health officials have been briefed on Hong Kong's strategy against SARS by the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food in Geneva.

Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong met with the Finnish Minister of Health & Social Services Liisa Hyssala this afternoon, and outlined Hong Kong's measures to prevent exporting any SARS cases overseas.

Ms Hyssala then briefed Dr Yeoh on the objectives, organisational structure, functions and key activities of the National Public Health Institute of Finland, an organisation for disease control and prevention.

Noting that Hong Kong is planning to set up an organisation with functions similar to the US' Centres for Disease Control & Prevention, Dr Yeoh said it was very helpful to listen to the experience of the Finnish Government in this area.

Earlier in the day, Dr Yeoh held discussions with Canadian Deputy Minister of Health Ian Green, on collaboration in research projects and shared experience in containing the spread of SARS.

Dr Yeoh will have dinner with the Swiss Confederation President Pascal Couchepin in Berne tonight.

On his arrival in Geneva yesterday, Dr Yeoh met Chinese Vice-Premier & Minister of Health Wu Yi.

On behalf of Hong Kong, he expressed gratitude for the Central Government's support for Hong Kong's fight against SARS.