6 Jun 2008
The overall preparedness and response of the Government and related organisations to public health incidents during the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events was put to test today (June 6) during a full-scale exercise.
Code-named Equator, the objective of the exercise was to validate interdepartmental procedures and contingency plans on public health incidents during the period of equestrian events and to further enhance co-ordination and cooperation among government departments.
Over 100 participants from five government departments, the Hospital Authority, the Equestrian Company and the hotel designated as Hong Kong Olympic Village took part in the exercise.
Some 30 representatives from various government departments and local organisations as well as experts from the Mainland Ministry of Health and Beijing Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention attended the exercise as observers.
The exercise scenario unfolded when 24 athletes developed food poisoning symptoms including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after having lunch at the Olympic Village. Some of the patients, after initial assessment by medical staff of the Olympic Village clinic, were taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) for further medical treatment while the others received medical attention inside the Olympic Village.
Staff of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) also swooped into actions, carrying out epidemiological investigation and food and hygiene inspections in the Village.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, accompanied by the Director of Health, Dr P Y Lam, visited Olympic Village and PWH to observe frontline operation.
Dr Chow said the exercise provided a valuable opportunity for the departments and organisations concerned to put to test relevant contingency plans and identify areas of improvement in the system early.
"It could strengthen interdepartmental communication, enhance ability and boost confidence of frontline staff in handling public health incidents during the event period," he said.
Dr Chow reiterated Government's commitment to successfully holding the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events in Hong Kong.
Dr Lam also said that the DH and the FEHD have a well established collaborative mechanism in managing food poisoning incidents and the exercise allowed the parties concerned to fine tune their respective contingency plans specifically tailored for the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.
Government departments and non-government organisations taking part in Exercise Equator were DH, Hospital Authority, Civil Aid Service, Fire Services Department, FEHD, Government Laboratory, Equestrian Company and the Royal Park Hotel.