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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 31 December, the Council on Human Reproductive Technology had issued 46 licences, comprising 17 treatment licences, 26 artificial insemination-by-husband licences and three research licences, 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.
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
The Radiation Board was established under the Radiation Ordinance to enforce control of the production, sale, possession and use of radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus. The department's Radiation Health Division (the board's executive arm) licenses and inspects radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus to ensure the safe use of ionising radiation. It also provides health surveillance and radiation monitoring for radiation workers, provides calibration services on radiation dosimeters and advises on the safe 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 563 medical students to their bachelor's degree programmes in 2020. Non-locally trained medical graduates may apply for registration to practise in Hong Kong after passing the Medical Council of Hong Kong's licensing examination, but the 2020 examinations were cancelled because of COVID-19.
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.
The Hospital Authority trains specialist doctors, offering appointments to all qualified medical graduates of the two universities each year for on-the-job specialist training. In 2019-20,
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