Hong Kong leader and WHO chief look at future of healthcare and responses to pandemics in wake of Covid-19
- Chief Executive John Lee says he was relieved when Covid-19 lost its status as public health emergency of international concern
- WHO chief proposes framework for action for stronger governance, financing and systems
“We certainly felt relieved when the WHO director general announced that Covid-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international concern,” Lee said, referring to the global watchdog’s decision earlier this month.
“But this does not mean that the virus is gone forever. We need to remain ready to respond speedily to different public health threats.”
He added: “The Covid-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc around the globe over the past three years or so, demonstrated graphically and comprehensively the critical importance of global health cooperation.”
The two-day summit opened on Wednesday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai under the theme “Reimagining the future of healthcare”, featuring 90 speakers from more than 20 countries and over 140 innovative technology companies.
Telemedicine for Hong Kong children among possible Hospital Authority upgrades
“While Covid-19 might no longer be a global health emergency, the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains,” Tedros said.
“To keep the world safe from emergencies of all kinds, WHO has proposed a framework for action for stronger governance, stronger financing and stronger systems and tools.”
Hong Kong experts urge city to stay vigilant as WHO ends Covid-19 global emergency
The WHO earlier this month declared an end to Covid-19’s status as a public health emergency of international concern, its highest alert level, which has been in place for more than three years.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau also said that as society recovered from the pandemic, the summit offered a “timely opportunity” to discuss the future of the city’s healthcare system.
“Our goal is always a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system,” he said in the plenary session.
Yu Yanhong, a senior official from the mainland’s National Health Commission, said the government had prioritised healthcare, one of its national development goals, with the aim of meeting the objectives of the “Healthy China” initiative in 2035.
She said Hong Kong, with the country’s support, should use its advantages to push development and innovation in healthcare.
