Committee on Health Promotion and Protection Annual Report (for the period of 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010)

Transcription

1 Committee on Health Promotion and Protection Annual Report (for the period of 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010) I. INTRODUCTION The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) leads a university-wide team working together to advocate health promotion and develop appropriate response in prevention of major health crisis on campus. In the period of August 2009 to July 2010, CHPP held three meetings at which preventive measures, summer student activities, communication, monitoring and contingency plans were reviewed, and preventive guidelines were updated. CHPP advocates strengthening strategies and efforts of various University units to achieve and develop positive health attitude among the University community. Regular and ad hoc health promotion and prevention programmes were conducted in collaboration with University Health Service (UHS), University Safety and Environment Office (USEO), Estates Management Office (EMO) and Colleges. II. ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS 1. Influenza Vaccination Influenza vaccination programmes were conducted by UHS by way of campaigns and scheduled programmes for staff and students, in addition to the vaccination in Outpatient Department of UHS throughout the year. Free vaccinations were provided for staff and students classified as high-risk group. Total number of vaccinations in the campaign: General High-risk Group* Total Students Non-students Students Non-students ,866 *High-risk group units include Faculty of Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medicine, EMO, Security and Transport Office, Hostels, Canteens, and UHS. 2. Monitoring of Bird Corpses Between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2010, the number of dead bird corpses found on campus, as indicated by the statistics maintained by the Security Unit, was 85. The area where bird corpse was found would be demarcated and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) informed to collect the corpse to test for the presence of H5N1 virus. Channel has been established between UHS and the Centre for Health Protection so that the University would be informed when the bird corpses collected on campus was found H5N1 positive. 1

2 3. Anti-mosquito Program 40 Ovitrap monitoring stations were set up on campus by the University Safety and Environment Office (USEO) in and the figures on Aedes larvae was reported every month with copies sent to EMO for follow-up mosquito eradication actions, if needed. Results showed similar seasonal trends compared with the official statistics released by the government and a general shift of peak Aedes months from July/August 2009 to September/October Hygiene Enhancement Work Further to the University s Contingency Plan for H1N1 Swine Flu, USEO had jointly conducted refresher session with Professor Paul Chan and Dr. Scotty Luk for EMO s household staff, staff of Security Unit, and employees of caterers to facilitate their understanding of the situations and the required hygiene precautions. Canteen inspections and advice to the food handlers were conducted according to different response levels. 5. Drinking Fountain USEO had conducted 170 water quality tests on all drinking fountains within the reporting period. Results from seven drinking fountains were found to be deviated from the WHO standards and remedial actions had been taken to identify the causes and improvements. The fountains were released for use after follow-up tests confirmed their suitability. The goal was to test all drinking fountains at least once per year. The test results indicated that the quality of water from drinking fountains on campus was up to the drinking water standards recommended by the World Health Organization. In addition, water sample testing had also been conducted on drinking water fountains managed by catering operators at central campus. All results were within WHO drinking water standards. 6. Testing of Surgical Masks The stock of surgical masks acquired in the past few years has been gradually replaced with new ones after the old stock was used by front-line staff. The current number of central stock of surgical masks is maintained at around 100,000. Colleges and certain administrative and support departments also have their own stocks of surgical masks. As the stock of surgical masks is new, no test on surgical masks was conducted during the period. 7. Respirator Fit-testing USEO continued to conduct fit-testing on appointment basis for staff for the period of this report. A total of 85 tests were done. Most front-line staff in UHS, Security Unit and EMO have had their respirator fit-testing completed. Respirator fit-testing was also provided to staff who were licensed P-3 laboratory users. 8. Stocking of Disinfectants USEO maintains at least three-month supply of bleaching solution in its dangerous goods store since Emergency epidemic response level was announced. As the response level has been lowered to Alert, the store of bleaching solution was also returned to one-month s supply. The bleaching solutions in store are of industrial strength (10-12%) and will be replaced every three months with the old stock transferred to departments for routine uses. 2

3 9. Smoke-free Campus Under the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Bill 2005 which took effect on 1 January 2007, smoking was prohibited on university campus with the exception of staff quarters. Between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2010, Security Unit recorded 135 cases of smoking on campus involving 195 persons. Over 40 verbal warnings were issued to construction site workers during routine site inspections. The warnings were issued for each incident of smoking on sites and did not reflect the actual number of workers violating the smoking ban. The message for banning smoking on site (requirements of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance) was repeatedly raised by CDO and USEO during monthly walk-through of construction sites on campus. This was regarded as warning to contractors and their workers. 10. Cervical Cancer Vaccination Campaign Two campaigns to promote vaccination against human papillomavirus infection as a primary prevention for cervical cancer were conducted in September 2009 and 9-11 March The campaigns were organized together with the Medical Student Society and Nursing Student Society. A lecture entitled Cervical cancer prevention and vaccines delivered by Prof. Paul Chan on 24 September 2009 received good attention. Exhibition and vaccination sessions were held at the Basic Medical Science Building and Esther Lee Building at main campus and the Madam Ho Sin Hang Hostel at Prince of Wales Hospital. Educational materials including booklets and leaflets on cervical cancer prevention were distributed. The campaign has received very good response. Altogether, about 650 students have received the vaccine at cost. Requests for repeating the campaign next year were received. 11. Walking Campaign (Phase 4) After the overwhelming response from staff and students at the first three phases of Walking Campaign from the University Station to three Colleges, Phase 4 Campaign took place on 22 January 2010, again from University Station to New Asia College, via New Asia Road. More than 1,000 staff and students attended. Group Photo at Destination New Asia Concourse, New Asia College 12. Basic Life Support Course and Equipment Seven automated external defibrillators (AED) were acquired and installed in campus, namely University Health Centre, University Sports Centre, Lingnan Stadium, Swimming Pool, and the head office and patrol cars of Security Unit. AED is a useful equipment for rescuing lives when a person gets a sudden heart attack. Six classes of AED and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certificate Courses were conducted in May and June staff are qualified for using the AED. 3

4 To enhance the knowledge of first aid and the importance of CPR in rescuing lives among staff and students, a Mass CPR Training was organized on 19 March 2010 at University Sports Centre with a total attendance of 400. Basic knowledge on life saving skills, teaching and practice on CPR and demonstration of AED were performed. The response was positive and participants had learnt the importance of CPR and AED for saving lives. Kick-off ceremony by representatives from CUHK and HKRC Participants practiced CPR under instruction AED demonstration by instructors of HKRC 13. Campus Health Ambassadors Programme A total of 48 students were selected as Campus Health Ambassadors Programme this year. They include students from each College plus 4 postgraduate students. After the training sessions, the health ambassadors organized health promotion activities with assigned topic and assisted in University s health promotional programmes. They also helped in a number of health promotion activities in the community. Lecture by Prof. S. H. Lee Lecture by Dr. Dominic Li Graduation Ceremony College Projects Chinese Medicine Meal by CC Health Ambassadors Jazz Dance Class by UC Health Ambassadors Talk on cohabitation by SC Health Ambassadors Exchange Visit for Health Ambassadors Health ambassadors were given the opportunity to explore health promotion in China. Headed by Mrs. Pauline Kan, 17 health ambassadors were selected to participate in the exchange visit to Xi an Jiaotong University (XJTU) in May Health ambassadors shared their experiences in health promotion with the medical students from the XJTU. 4

5 They also attended workshops on different health topics. Their sharings were highly appreciated by the teachers of XJTU. Health Ambassadors also had opportunities to visit XJTU Campus and the ancient Xi an City. It was a fruitful trip and the health ambassadors gained more experience in health promotion outside Hong Kong. Health Ambassadors attended the health promotion workshop Group Photo outside the recreation centre for medical students Health Ambassadors experienced the ancient Xi an City 14. Healthy Campus, Prosperous Life Luncheon Seminar Series The seminars were jointly organized by UHS and the Training Division of the Personnel Office. The attendants were mostly staff. Seminars conducted in were listed as follows: Date (D/M/Y) Topic Speaker Total no. of attendants 26/11/2009 憂心不再 : 心臟健康與風險 葉維國醫生 200 管理 26/2/2010 如何預防老年認知衰退 郭志銳教授 131 8/3/2010 緩急有度 : 如何分辨醫療急 鄭志雄醫生 95 症個案 29/3/2010 工作生活平衡 Fun Fun Fun 黎嘉欣小姐 88 13/4/ /4/2010 食得健美 D 李敏華小姐 38 27/4/ /4/2010 關心眼前人 : 如何向情緒困 馮嘉研小姐 145 擾暫施援手 17/5/2010 知己知彼的親密關係 陳俊雄博士 /6/2010 齊來認識電子健康記錄互通系統 鄭棣華先生 / 李佩芬小姐 / 戚瑜暉先生 113 III. CONCLUSION CHPP will continue to monitor the pandemic influenza development and work closely with various units of the University to promote health protection and prevention of disease. Through its website and the Chairman s Announcements, CHPP will keep the University community informed of the disease development and educate our community to strengthen necessary preventive measures. Appendix 1 : Composition and Terms of Reference of CHPP January

6 Appendix 1 Committee on Health Promotion and Protection Composition Chairman: Members: Secretary: Professor Jack Cheng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Chan, Professor, Department of Microbiology Mr. Jacob Leung, Secretary of the University (ex officio) Dr. Scotty Luk, Director, University Health Service (ex officio) Mr. Eric Ng, Registrar (ex officio) Ms. Amy Tsui, Director of Communications and Public Relations (ex officio) Mr. Lam Shi-kai, Director of University Safety and Environment (ex officio) Mr. Benny Tam, Director of Estates Management (ex officio) Professor Sian Griffiths, Professor of Public Health, School of Public Health and Primary Care A representative of the CHPP Working Groups of four Colleges* Ms. Eling Ngan, Representative from the Office of Student Affairs Ms. Wendy Chan, Representative from the Information Technology Services Centre Professor Zuo Zhong, Joan, Representative of CUTA Mr. Kwok Wai-leung, Anthony, Representative of CUSA Mr. Lai Kwok-hung, Student representative from the CUHK Student Union Student representative from the Student Union of four Colleges Mrs. Pauline Kan, Information Co-ordinator, University Health Service Ms. Alice Ho, Communication Co-ordinator, Pro-Vice-Chancellor s Office Ms. Jenny Lam, University Health Service * The four representatives of the College CHPP Working Groups (namely Professor Fong Wing-ping, CCC; Professor Maria Tam, NAC; Professor Wong Heung-sang, UC; Professor Freedom Leung, SC) serve as College Co-ordinator and attend meetings on a rotation basis. Terms of Reference In regard to the areas of hygiene, prevention of disease on campus and promotion of health in general, a. to make recommendations to AAPC on the formulation and revision of policies, strategies and action plans; b. to coordinate the efforts of the various units within the University and resources available to the University to achieve the aforesaid goals/targets; c. to solicit support and develop resources from outside the university through inter-institutional/inter-programme collaborations and grants to help the University achieve the aforesaid goals/targets; d. to monitor the progress of work and evaluate the effective implementation of the aforesaid policies, strategies and action plans on a continuing basis; and e. to undertake any other duties as may be prescribed by AAPC. July