A difficult one, P Plus support

"Does Hong Kong have enough medicine to treat malaria?", "Will the large number of imported malaria cases affect the admission of new crown patients in public hospitals?" Two weeks ago, my mobile WhatsApp started ringing non-stop, as if the malaria had killed one in Hong Kong. Unprepared.

However, I would like to reassure everyone that we were not caught off guard. On the contrary, facing the sudden emergence of a large number of imported malaria cases, it highlights the spirit of "one side is in trouble, all sides support" and the advantages of having a good emergency response mechanism.

Written by: Dr Chung Kin-lai, Director of Quality and Safety, Hospital Authority

In the past, Hong Kong only recorded about 20 to 30 imported malaria cases every year on average. However, since July, more than 100 people infected with malaria have arrived in Hong Kong from Africa one after another. Less doubt.

Although the risk of malaria outbreaks in Hong Kong is extremely low, the large number of imported malaria cases under the new crown epidemic will undoubtedly pose challenges to the public healthcare system.

The HA did not dare to take it lightly, and immediately activated the emergency response command center to hold an emergency meeting with infection control experts to direct and coordinate the admission and treatment of malaria patients in the hospital network.

Since last month, more than 100 people infected with malaria have arrived in Hong Kong from Africa, some with severe symptoms.

In addition to witnessing the good response of the HA, this malaria battle also relies on the full support of various government departments and various units in the Mainland, which fully reflects the spirit of "one side is in trouble, all sides support".

In addition, the HA also dispatched a medical team to the airport to cooperate with the Port Health Section of the Department of Health to screen African arrivals, take blood tests for them, and arrange admission for those with clinical needs.

The Emergency Response Command Center has been monitoring hospital isolation beds, drugs and treatment plans, mobilizing beds and manpower in a timely manner, and distributing patients to hospitals in different clusters for treatment.

In addition to providing proper hospitalization arrangements, the HA also provides video consultation services for some African arrivals staying in quarantine hotels to provide timely medical support to patients in need.

In the 430 epidemic briefing earlier, in addition to following up on the new crown epidemic, the reporter also asked "is there enough medicine" about the malaria import group.

In response to emergencies, the HA procures oral and intravenous drugs for malaria around the world, including the Mainland.

Different units in Hong Kong and the Mainland have also shown the spirit of watching and helping each other. When they hear that a patient is in need, they save people like putting out a fire. Apart from that, they have arranged to deliver medicines to Hong Kong on the same day to ensure that public hospitals have enough medicines to treat malaria patients.

At present, many malaria patients have recovered and discharged from hospital one after another, and it is believed that other patients will soon recover and be discharged from hospital.

I've said many times that a race against the virus is a race against time, and moving quickly is the key.

In this hurried fight against malaria, in addition to witnessing the good response of the HA as a whole, what made me feel more deeply is the spirit and belief of "where one side is in trouble, all sides will support".

Thanks to the support of all parties, it is possible to quickly and properly treat a large number of malaria patients, including various government departments and various units in the Mainland.

"Hong Kong 01" "01 Clinic", in cooperation with the Hospital Authority, publishes a column "Garden Tour" written by medical staff every Wednesday.

Apricot Forest.

"Xinglin" comes from the story of Dong Feng, a famous doctor in the Three Kingdoms period. Later generations praised medical care as "Xinglin". Five people from Xinglin from the Hospital Authority led the garden to visit Xinglin Grand View Garden. A little bit of reason.

Looking at the epidemic from history