$890m war chest to combat peak flu season

Charlotte Wu

The Hospital Authority has allocated an additional HK$890 million to public hospitals to combat the flu peak expected from January to May next year and be well-prepared for the cross-border flu spread.

The North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre will also be reopened to patients when necessary.

HA's chief manager Larry Lee Lap-yip said public hospitals are expected to be in high demand due to the ongoing cold weather, the upcoming long Christmas and New Year holidays, and respiratory diseases throughout the year.

According to HA statistics, emergency rooms at public hospitals received 5,500 patients on Thursday, with the occupancy rate of medical and pediatric wards reaching 101 percent and 97 percent respectively.

The sharp rise was due to the monthly number of 110 to 170 children being hospitalized with Mycoplasma pneumonia recorded in public hospitals in the past three months, which greatly exceeds the 50 cases in August.

But Lee said: "The current situation is still stable even with the high occupancy rate of pediatric wards when over 200 children are expected to be admitted to hospitals every day."

He said the authority has come up with measures to combat the upcoming flu peak, including setting up more hospital beds for sick children when necessary.

"The Hospital Authority will allocate a total of HK$890 million in government funds to hospital clusters to plan and prepare for the 2023/24 service peak initiatives," Lee said.

"In August and September, the task force also formulated response plans, including adding 103 new beds and increasing the outpatient clinic service quota by five to 10 percent, especially during weekends and holidays," he added.

Lee also said 18 general outpatient clinics will enhance services during the upcoming Christmas and Lunar New Year holidays.

"The Hospital Authority will expedite the turnover of hospital beds to keep patients in the right place for treatments," he said.

"The Infection Control Centre of the North Lantau Hospital will also be reactivated if necessary. But we are confident that public hospitals are capable of handling patients this winter."

Lee also said it is unavoidable for transboundary infection to occur with close interactions between the city and the Mainland. Yet there was no evidence of the emergence of a new virus.

Yeung Yiu-cheong, deputy chief of service of Princess Margaret Hospital Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, said the flu can occur at any time, and advised the public to take preventative measures.

"People should get an influenza vaccination, especially the high-risk group, and wash hands regularly and keep our place clean. We should also wear a mask to prevent getting infected when surrounded by people with respiratory symptoms or in a crowded place.