Press Releases

SFH on organ donation and vaccination programme

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function today (May 12):

Reporter: What do you think are the reasons why so few people have registered for organ donation even though many people say that they support it?

Secretary for Food and Health: There could be many reasons why the organ donation rate in Hong Kong is low. Firstly, it could be the traditional culture and belief that people would like to keep their body intact after death. Of course, after many years of promotion and education, we know that many Hong Kong citizens are willing to become organ donors. However, there is still one step before they can reach the organ donation register. So, I think a convenient registration system coupled with a determined initiative in public promotion and education is very important. Later this year, we hope there would be a massive publicity campaign by the Government in conjunction with non-governmental organisations, aiming at distributing organ donation forms and organ donation cards to the public.

Reporter: Will primary schools' students be subsidised to receive vaccination in the coming winter?

Secretary for Food and Health: We are still considering the proposal. Once we reach a conclusion, we will announce it. At the present moment, we are concentrating our effort to liaise with the medical sector to see whether arrangement could be made in the coming winter influenza season for medical teams to deliver vaccination in schools.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Thursday, May 12, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:40

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