Message from the President, Prof. Raymond Liang, October 2009

 

Dear Fellows,


While we are having one of the hottest summers in Hong Kong, the threat of Human Swine Influenza (Influenza A, H1N1) continues. The number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong is escalating and we are seeing mortalities. We must all be very alert!


I am glad to report that the Mainland China specialist training and registration project is making good progress. Four of our Colleges—Dental Surgeons, Ophthalmologists, Orthopaedic Surgeons and Paediatricians—have participated in the pilot programme. They visited the respective pilot training sites in April and have submitted preliminary reports to the Ministry of Health in June. Led by Professor Grace Tang, the Academy is preparing an interim report and will meet with the Ministry of Health later this year to discuss the future plans.


We will be hosting the First Tripartite Congress of the Academies of Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore in November 2010 in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Academy has participated in the joint Congress of Singapore and Malaysia for many years. We have now agreed that a conjoint Congress will be held every three years starting 2010. We are honoured to be the first hosting Academy of this meaningful collaboration. Dr Donald Li, our Vice President (General Affairs), chairs the Organising Committee.


The Academy, as a statutory body for training and accrediting medical and dental specialists, is mindful of the potential impact of the reduction in doctor work hours on the standard of training. A working group chaired by Dr CT Hung, our Vice-President (Education & Examinations), shall formulate some recommendations for consideration by the Education Committee and the Council.


Remember to wear a mask, wash your hands and be vigilant!


Professor Raymond Liang
President