February 7, 2001
The Department of Health (DH) Hotline (2961 8883) had received 151 telephone calls during the 24-hour period ending at 3 pm today (February 7), bringing the total number of telephone calls received to 305.
Of the 151 callers, 25 had been referred to DH's Regional Offices for assessment and blood tests. The total number of persons who had been referred to DH's Regional Offices was 63.
As at 3 pm today (February 7), a woman and three children were in hospital for treatment of lead intoxication. They were in stable condition.
The DH Hotline is manned by health care professionals from 9 am to 9 pm daily and telephone recording is available during the remaining 12 hours of a day.
The Hotline was set up on February 5 as part of the investigation by DH into a report of lead intoxication associated with a "homemade" herbal pill "Bao Ning Dan" purportedly prescribed by a Chinese medicine practitioner in Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long. Earlier another woman was admitted to hospital for treatment of lead intoxication and was subsequently released from hospital.