13 h. ago Hong Kong steps up mental health support for Tai Po fire victims

Hong Kong authorities will step up mental health support for people affected by the Tai Po fire, the city’s deadliest blaze in several decades, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has announced, with about two-thirds of patients having been discharged from hospitals. Ten days since the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court, Secretary of Health Lo Chung-mau said on Friday that all 79 patients admitted to hospital due to the fire were considered no longer at risk, but noted some expressed feelings of guilt...

Events

13 h. ago Hong Kong to focus on mental health support after fire, seek smoking ban at sites

Hong Kong authorities will make mental health support for people affected by the Tai Po blaze a priority in the aftermath of the tragedy, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has announced, as the government said it intended to push for a blanket ban on smoking at construction sites. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Lee said that not only the residents of Wang Fuk Court, but the entire community could move out of deep sorrow with proper mental health support. “Everyone is experiencing this...

Events

4 d. ago Beijing enters peak flu season, implements multiple measures to meet children’s healthcare demand: health authorities

Beijing enters peak flu season, implements multiple measures to meet children’s healthcare demand: health authorities  Global Times

Science

1 week ago Israeli air strikes kill at least 20 in Gaza, in latest test of ceasefire

Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 80, local health authorities said on Saturday, in a further test of a fragile ceasefire between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel. Witnesses and medical staff said the first attack hit a car in the densely populated Rimal neighbourhood, setting it ablaze. It was not immediately clear whether the five dead were passengers of the car or included passers-by. Dozens of people rushed to extinguish the fire and...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s fourth local chikungunya case unrelated to past 3: health officials

Hong Kong’s fourth locally acquired chikungunya fever case resulted from a new source of infection unrelated to previous ones, health authorities have confirmed, urging those living in the same area as the patient to seek medical advice if they show symptoms. The Centre for Health Protection said on Wednesday that the source of the fourth case’s infection was genetically distinct from the previous imported and locally acquired cases. The fourth locally acquired case is a 68-year-old woman living...

Politics

3 w. ago Mutated flu strain spreading in Hong Kong; city records second child death

A mutated influenza virus strain is spreading in Hong Kong, potentially reducing the vaccine’s ability to prevent infection, experts have said, as the city recorded its second child death from the flu this year. Health authorities said on Thursday that the latest death involved an 11-month-old boy, with the case also being the second child fatality of the current flu season. Earlier in the day, experts stressed that the jabs remain effective in protecting against serious complications from a...

Events

3 w. ago Hong Kong battles mutated flu strain surge as second child dies this season

A mutated influenza virus strain is spreading in Hong Kong, potentially reducing the vaccine’s ability to prevent infection, experts have said, as the city recorded its second child death from the flu this year. Health authorities said on Thursday that the latest death involved an 11-month-old boy, with the case also being the second child fatality of the current flu season. Earlier in the day, experts stressed that the jabs remain effective in protecting against serious complications from a...

Events

3 w. ago Hong Kong to extend free use of public hospital mortuaries from 3 to 28 days

The three-day exemption from new mortuary charges effective next year at Hong Kong public hospitals will be extended to four weeks, the government has said, after the move sparked controversy. The Health Bureau and Hospital Authority made the announcement on Saturday after the funeral sector criticised the tiered fee structure earlier this week, saying it would penalise families for delays in after-death arrangements. “We considered public opinion and stakeholder feedback and will refine the...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong extending free public hospital mortuary use to 28 days after outcry

A three-day exemption from new mortuary charges effective next year at Hong Kong public hospitals will be extended to four weeks, the government has said, after the move to end free storage of bodies sparked controversy. Health authorities announced the policy update on Saturday, stressing that they anticipated fees would be required for fewer than 10 per cent of bodies after the new charging scheme was introduced on January 1 next year. “We considered public opinion and stakeholder feedback and...

Politics