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standards in quality and safety. At the same time, 53 022 tests for heavy metal and pesticide residue content and adulteration with Western drugs or controlled substances were conducted on proprietary Chinese medicines and herbal medicines. In addition, the laboratory provided full support to investigations on cases of adverse reaction or intoxication incidents related to Chinese medicines, such as the testing for aristolochic acid and aconitum alkaloids and it continued to participate in the development of regulatory standards for Chinese medicinal herbs in Hong Kong.
The laboratory sustained its surveillance of tar and nicotine yields in cigarettes. Some 13 000 examinations were conducted during the year. The results were published in the annual table for public information and affirmed by tobacco traders.
Auxiliary Medical Service
The Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) is a government department under the Security Bureau with an establishment of 95 civil servants. It manages a government financed auxiliary service with 4 418 volunteer members. Its main role is to augment regular medical, health and ambulance services during emergencies and to provide backup services outside emergency situations. The Director of Health is the Commissioner of the AMS, and is responsible to the Chief Executive for the efficient operation of the service.
All AMS members are qualified Disaster Medical Assistants and the majority have received training in the control of infectious diseases, which prepares them for epidemics in Hong Kong and enables them to give support to the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection during public health emergencies. AMS members conducted health surveillance of passengers at land boundary control points such as Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau during an outbreak of avian flu in neighbouring areas and 250 members were deployed every day to provide medical and first aid coverage during the World Trade Organisation Hong Kong Ministerial Conference from December 13 to 18.
The AMS continues to develop the Volunteer Service Programme. Its first aid bicycle team provides first aid coverage along the cycling track between Tai Wai and Tai Po and mans the first aid posts on cycling tracks in Ma On Shan, Sha Tin and Tai Po during weekends and public holidays. Members are able to treat most injured cyclists on the spot, making it unnecessary for the injured to be taken to hospital by ambulance. Instructors from the Volunteer Service Programme conducted the health education programmes for teachers, parents and students in the Sha Tin, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Wong Tai Sin and Kowloon City districts during the year to improve their first aid knowledge and the level of safety skills in schools.
Home Pages
Health, Welfare and Food Bureau: www.hwfb.gov.hk
Department of Health: www.info.gov.hk/dh
Centre for Health Protection: www.chp.gov.hk
Hospital Authority: www.ha.org.hk
Auxiliary Medical Service: www.ams.gov.hk