ENG-2019 — Page 203

Health

Human Reproductive Technology

The Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance regulates the application of human reproductive technologies to ensure the procedures are conducted in a safe and informed manner, and to safeguard the welfare of children born through the technologies. As at end- 2019, the Council on Human Reproductive Technology had issued 47 licences, comprising 18 treatment licences, 28 artificial insemination-by-husband licences and one research licence, in accordance with the ordinance.

The council's code of practice sets out the requirements, standards and good practices for embryo researchers and reproductive technology practitioners.

Port Health

To prevent and control the cross-boundary spread of infectious and other serious diseases into or out of Hong Kong, the department's Port Health Division enforces health quarantine measures according to the International Health Regulations and the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance. Thermal imaging systems screen the temperatures of inbound travellers at all boundary control points.

The division also operates two travel health centres to provide outbound travellers with disease preventive services, including travel health risk assessment, vaccination, prophylactic medication and advice on travel-related risks. It works closely with the travel industry and provides travel health information on the department's website.

Radiation Health

Set up under the Radiation Ordinance, the independent Radiation Board enforces the ordinance so as to control the production, sale, possession and use of radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus. The board's executive arm is the department's Radiation Health Division, which licenses and inspects radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus. It also provides health surveillance and radiation monitoring for radiation workers, maintains metrology standards in radiation dosimetry measurements and provides calibration services on radiation dosimeters. The division advises on the management of radioactive substances and wastes and, in case of nuclear incidents, on the protection of public health.

Training of Healthcare Personnel

Doctors

Degree courses in medicine and surgery are offered at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), which admitted a total of 566 medical students to their bachelor's degree programmes in 2019. Another 53 medical graduates with professional qualifications obtained outside Hong Kong passed licensing examinations conducted by the Medical Council of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine is an independent statutory body which approves, assesses and accredits specialist training within the medical and dental professions. Its 15 colleges conduct training and examinations to award specialist qualifications.

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