Current Under Secretary for Health Libby Lee Ha-yun will succeed outgoing Hospital Authority Chief Executive Tony Ko Pat-sing after his contract expires at the end of this month, taking up the role for a three-year term.
Consultant in Family Medicine at the Department of Health Cecilia Fan Yuen-man, who led Hong Kong’s search and rescue team to Turkey in 2023, will fill the vacancy after Lee’s departure, effective July 14.
The government also announced the reappointment of incumbent HA Chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling for a one-year term, effective December 1.
The HA Board initiated a global recruitment process in January to replace Ko, who will not seek reappointment upon completion of his term.
Following a rigorous evaluation, the selection panel recommended Lee, whose appointment was endorsed by the HA Board and approved by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.
The Advisory Committee on Post-office Employment for Former Chief Executives and Politically Appointed Officials also found no potential conflicts of interest in her new role and foresaw no adverse public perception.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau praised Lee’s nearly three-year tenure as Under Secretary for Health, citing her exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
“She also has a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by the healthcare system and the strategies on a macro level and will surely lead, in her new capacity, the HA to drive reform and innovation, enhancing public healthcare services,” he said.
Lo welcomed Cecilia Fan to the Health Bureau, highlighting her extensive experience in public health management, including her participation in coordinating anti-epidemic and disaster relief efforts.
He also thanked Henry Fan for continuing as Chairman, supporting government-led reforms, and expressed confidence that the HA would further advance under their leadership.
Lee, 53, holds a medical degree and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Hong Kong. She joined the HA in 2008, rising to Director of Strategy and Planning in 2016, where she oversaw healthcare strategy, resource allocation, and infrastructure development before assuming her role as Under Secretary for Health in 2022.
Her successor, Cecilia Fan Yuen-man, 57, is a seasoned family medicine specialist with over three decades at the DH. Holding an HKU medical degree and a CUHK master’s in public health, she was the only person from the SAR who was honored by the National Health Commission for foreign medical aid.
(Cheng Wong)
