Sad goodbye: Colleagues from Tai Po Hospital pay tribute to Dr Cheng Ha-yan, the second Hospital Authority doctor to succumb to SARS.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong and the Hospital Authority have expressed their deepest regret at the death of Dr Cheng Ha-yan of Tai Po Hospital who succumbed to SARS last night.

Dr Cheng worked in the department of medicine and geriatrics. She contracted the disease while taking care of a SARS patient who did not show any symptoms of the disease.

She was admitted to the hospital on April 21 and was transferred to intensive care on April 28.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa was grieved to hear of Dr Cheng's death.

"She has demonstrated the highest level of dedication, devotion and profession in looking after patients. I join the community to extend our deepest condolences to her family," he said.

Chief Secretary Donald Tsang said the Government will try every means to help the family.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said he was saddened by the loss of a dedicated doctor who has given her life saving patients.

"My deepest condolences go to her family at this sad moment," he added.