ENG-2013 — Page 193

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Health

licence issued by the Council on Human Reproductive Technology set up under the legislation. As at the end of 2013, the council had issued 52 licences, including 13 treatment licences, 36 artificial insemination-by-husband licences and three research licences.

In accordance with international practice and in consultation with the medical profession, social workers, the legal profession, academia and ethical groups, the council has established a code of practice setting out the requirements, standards and good practices for embryo researchers and reproductive technology practitioners.

Port Health

To prevent and control cross-boundary spread of infectious and other serious diseases into and out of Hong Kong, the DH's Port Health Office enforces quarantine measures according to the International Health Regulations and the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance. Travellers arriving in Hong Kong at boundary control points are required to undergo temperature screening as a precautionary measure.

The Port Health Office also provides Hong Kong residents with disease preventive services including medical consultation, vaccination, prophylactic medication and advice on travel- related risks before they travel. The office has a close working relationship with the travel industry and provides travel health information on the website www.travelhealth.gov.hk.

Radiation Health

The independent Radiation Board, set up under the Radiation Ordinance, controls the import, export, possession and use of radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus. As the executive arm of the Radiation Board, the DH's Radiation Health Unit (RHU) carries out licensing controls and conducts inspections of radioactive substances or irradiating apparatus. It also provides health surveillance and radiation monitoring for radiation worker, maintains the metrology standards for environmental and occupational protection level radiation dosimetry measurements, and provides the related standard calibration services. The RHU advises the government on the protection of public health in nuclear incidents and management of radioactive substances and wastes.

In 2013, the RHU assessed and issued about 12,300 and 3,900 licences/permits under the Radiation Ordinance and the Import (Radiation) (Prohibition) Regulations respectively and monitored 10,952 occupationally exposed persons. The average radiation exposure of Occupationally exposed persons was 0.12 mSv against the annual statutory limit of 20 mSv.

Regulation of Medical Devices

Under the DH's voluntary Medical Device Administrative Control System, medical devices are classified into four classes based on their risk levels. Products that conform to requirements on safety and are effective as declared can be listed. Manufacturers and traders must comply with the relevant listing requirements and management measures, and report adverse incidents. The DH maintains lists of high-risk and medium-risk medical devices, and high-risk in-vitro diagnostic medical devices. In 2013, the DH approved 658 applications for new listing medical devices, and handled 1,261 safety alerts and eight adverse incident reports.

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