26 Mar 2009
A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 26) said the CHP hotline 2125 1133 for public enquiries about renal case in connection with milk product adulterated with melamine would stop operation starting April 1.
The spokesman said the arrangement was made in view of the recent decrease in the number of calls received by the hotline.
"The hotline received less than five general enquiries on a daily basis in the past two months. As such the operation of the hotline will cease with effect from April 1 in order to better utilize manpower resources.
"The daily press release on the development of the issue, which has been issued since September 21, 2008 will continue until March 31 this year.
"However, any new renal case related to consumption of melamine tainted milk products will be made public by the CHP," the spokesman said.
About 11,000 numbers of enquiries have been handled since the hotline was set up in September last year.
The CHP will remain vigilant of the situation.
Meanwhile, with decreasing demand for the screening service, the Hospital Authority (HA) will have the following arrangements to allow resumption of normal operation at the General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) and Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOPCs):
* The free health screening service for children with consumption history of melamine tainted milk products (MTMP) in the 18 designated Clinics (DC) will be in operation until March 31, 2009.
* The free Special assessment Clinic services will remain in operation until April 9, 2009 or when all cases referred from the DCs have been provided with further assessment service.
* Thereafter, children suspected with renal symptoms related to MTMP may consult private practitioners or attend any of the 74 GOPCs for assessment by acquiring a medical consultation disc through the usual channel, and if clinically indicated, be referred to an appropriate SOPC for further investigation. These services will be subject to the standard fees and charges, i.e. $45 for each GOPC consultation and $100 and $60 for the first and subsequent SOPC consultation respectively.