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international accreditation bodies. These hospital laboratories carried out more than 180 million tests in 2008.

Auxiliary Medical Service

The Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) is a government department under the Security Bureau with a staff of 92 civil servants. It manages a government-financed auxiliary service comprising 4 418 volunteers. In addition to doctors and nurses, all of its members are qualified Disaster Medical Assistants. Its main role is to reinforce regular medical, health and ambulance services during emergencies and to provide backup during ordinary times. The Director of Health is the AMS's commissioner and is responsible to the Chief Executive for the efficient running of the service.

In addition to regular training, AMS members also carry out joint exercises with the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health to familiarise themselves with the techniques of lifesaving, treating patients and handling sudden outbreaks of infectious diseases.

During the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, AMS deployed over 700 volunteers, including 76 doctors, 190 nurses and 204 Disaster Medical Assistants for duty. They rendered medical and first aid services in the warm-up and training areas of the competition venues. Ambulance coverage was also provided at the hotels for participants' family members.

The AMS's Health Protection Unit (HPU) responded promptly to the needs of the community in March 2008 during the outbreak of avian flu and influenza. Instructors conducted health talks at schools and social welfare agencies on preventive measures and on ways to keep healthy. It continues to develop new programmes to serve the public. A pilot Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation training scheme with emphasis on practicality - has been launched. Feedback has been positive and more courses will be conducted to teach more people how to help victims of heart attacks effectively.

Websites

Food and Health Bureau: www.fhb.gov.hk

Department of Health: www.dh.gov.hk

Centre for Health Protection: www.chp.gov.hk

Hospital Authority: www.ha.org.hk

Auxiliary Medical Service: www.ams.gov.hk

Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee: www.fhb.gov.hk/hmdac Healthcare Reform: www.beStrong.gov.hk