Message from Controller, Centre for Health Protection

 

The CHP Strategic Plan for 2010 – 2014 is the third of its kind since CHP was established as a public health agency under the Department of Health in 2004. The previous two plans covering the first six years of the CHP were based on the "3R" commitment – real-time surveillance, rapid intervention and responsive risk communication. Guided by the "3R's", we have made steady progress in disease prevention and control and laid a solid foundation for further development of CHP.

 

Meeting the Challenges

 

To cope with the continuing health threat from emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, the CHP has focused on strengthening disease surveillance system, infection control and laboratory diagnostic capacity; implementing vaccination programmes; drawing up emergency response plans; conducting risk communication and health promotion; and developing applied research and training programmes. We also provide treatment and care services for patients with chronic infections such as tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and sexually transmitted infections.

 

Besides tackling infectious diseases, the CHP has also devoted a lot of efforts to combating non-communicable diseases (NCD) which present a rising threat to the health and well-being of the people of Hong Kong. Prevention and control of NCD requires the combined and sustained efforts of the Government, community and individuals. CHP launched the "Strategic Framework for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases" to guide and give impetus to the efforts. These include conducting studies to monitor the local trends and risk factors of NCD, as well as launching campaigns to promote healthy eating in schools and food premises and encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyles.