Committeee on Health Promotion and Protection Annual Report 2013-14 (for the period 1 August 2013 to 31 July 2014) I. INTRODUCTION Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) advises on health promotion and disease prevention, and works closely with colleges and various units to foster health promotion at the university. Globally, the emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the West African region and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the Arabian Peninsula were major public health issues. Human infection with Influenza A (H7N9) and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) also raised public health concerns in Hong Kong. CHPP closely monitored the development of cases in affected areas, and advised the university on precautionary measures. CHPPP held three meetings in 2013-14 with discussions on improving environmental hygiene, healthh promotion, disease outbreak monitoring, and preparation for disease outbreak on campus. II. ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGH HTS 1. Influenza Vaccination University Health Service (UHS) held influenza vaccination campaigns for staff and students on a self-pay basis. Free influenza vaccination was providedd for high-risk groups in October, 2013. Total number of vaccinations in the 2013-14 campaign: General High-risk Group* Total Students Non-students Students Non-students 50 355 897 661 1963 *High-risk groups include full-time staff and students of Faculty of Medicine, Estates Management Office (EMO), Security and Transport Office, Hostels, and UHS. 2. Monitoring of Bird Corpses Security Unit recorded 214 bird corpses found on campus between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014. The deadd birds were collected by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservationn Department (AFCD) for follow-up. No abnormalities, e.g. H5N1, were detected by AFCD in those bird corpses. 3. Anti-mosquito Program To prevent breeding of mosquitoes, EMO continued to conduct mosquito control treatments once every two weeks in high season (March to September) and once a month in low season (October to February). Midge control treatments to strategic areas were conducted once every three weeks from May to September, as similar to the last year. 60 Ovitrap monitoring stations were set up on campus by the University Safety Office (USO) and the figures on Aedes larvae was recorded every month with copies sent to EMO for follow-up mosquito eradication actions. Results in 2013-14 showed similar seasonal trends compared with the official statistics 1
released by the government with maximum results in June 2014. 4. Drinking Fountains All drinking fountains on campus are tested at least once per year. USO had conducted 192 water quality tests on all drinking fountains within the reporting period. Results from five drinking fountains were found to be deviated from the WHO standards and remedial actions had been taken to identify the causes and improvement measures were taken. The fountains were released for use after follow-up tests confirmed their suitability. 5. Testing of Surgical Masks The number of central stock of surgical masks was maintained at around 80,000. Colleges and certain administrative and support departments also kept their own stocks of surgical masks. USO conducted testing of 4 batches of total 25 samples of surgical masks from college hostels. All results were satisfactory. 6. Respirator Fit-testing Respirator fit-testing was provided to front-line staff in UHS, Security Unit, EMO and staff who were licensed P-3 laboratory users. USO conducted 15 respirator fit-testing for staff for the period of this report. 7. Stocking of Disinfectants USO maintained 4 weeks supply of bleaching solution in its dangerous goods store during Serious Response Level. The bleaching solutions in store were of industrial strength (10-12%) and were replaced every three months with the old stock transferred to departments for routine uses. 8. Stockpiling of Anti-viral drugs In view of sufficient and easy purchase of anti-viral drugs in the market, CHPP resolved to discontinue the practice of anti-viral drug stock-piling. The last stock was expired in 2013 year end. 9. Smoke-free Campus Security Unit recorded 107 persons found smoking on campus. The smokers were cooperative after given verbal advice to stop smoking. 10. Cervical Cancer Vaccination Campaign Cervical cancer vaccination campaigns were held for female students, staff and dependents (aged 9 or above) in October 2013 and January 2014 at UHS. It included exhibition, enquiry counter, and vaccination. The total number of HPV vaccinations given in two campaigns was 4,861. 11. Hepatitis Awareness Campaign Two hepatitis campaigns with exhibition, blood checking for serological markers and vaccination were held in October 2013 and January 2014. 333 people attended the blood checking and 664 doses were given at the campaigns. Two people with HBsAg positive were referred for medical attention. 12. New Vaccination Campaigns This year, UHS conducted a Pneumococcal vaccination (PCV) campaign and Herpes Zoster (HZ) vaccination campaign in November 2013 and April 2014 respectively. A total of 98 doses of PCV and 54 doses of HZ were given during the campaign. 2
13. Maintenance of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Machines on Campus There are nine AED machines installed on campus for emergency aid to people with sudden heart attack. Their locations are UHS, sports centres, swimming pool, Area 39, Security Unit Head Office and patrol cars. UHS organized AED certificate course and refresher course regularly in collaboration with the Hong Kong Red Cross. Since the introduction in 2011, there was no reported case to use AED. 14. Training on Mass CPR and AED To educate staff and students how to respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies, UHS and the Hong Kong Red Cross jointly organized a one-day training programme on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at Pommerenke Student Centre in February 2014. Around 200 staff and students attended the programme. 15. Campus Health Ambassadors Programme A group of 40 students from nine colleges were selected into this programme in 2013-14. They were given training to enhance knowledge on health issues and to learn skills in organizing public health activities. Health ambassadors took part in a series of health promotion activities to promote health awareness in their colleges. Twelve selected health ambassadors attended an exchange visit to Fudan University on 19-22 May 2014. They conducted a health promotion workshop on different health topics with the School of Public Health at Fudan University. The exchange visit was led by Director of UHS and Nursing Officer. Participated health ambassadors had a fruitful and valuable experience on health promotion in Shanghai. 16. Integrating Chinese Medicine into Daily Life To strengthen the concept of proper and safety use of Chinese medicine in daily life, a Chinese Medicine Banquet was organized in November 2013. The event was jointly organized with the School of Chinese Medicine and the Chinese Medicine Promotion Society. It received positive feedback from participants who gained more knowledge in the use of Chinese Medicine. The total attendance was 106 staff and students. 17. Walking Campaign The University s Walking Campaign cum Car-free Day was held on 17 January 2014. It attracted over 500 staff and students to participate in walking from University MTR Station to Lee Woo Sing College. The Estates Management Office launched the Walk for Green 大部行 programme in March 2013. Since then, over 5,500 staff and students have participated in the campaign and have made over 60,000 walking journeys with routes linking the lower campus (Station Road) and the central campus. 18. Healthy Campus, Prosperous Life Luncheon Seminar Series The seminars were jointly organized by UHS and the Training Division of the Personnel Office. The following table is the record of seminars held in 2013-14: Date Topic Speaker Attendance 24.07.2013 常見皮膚病的中醫食療保健 陳詩雅小姐 ( 香港中文大學中醫學院講師 ) 13.09.2013 預防大腸癌 黃秀娟女士 ( 香港中文大學醫 學院助理教授 ) 164 190 3
01.10.2013 預防流感 陳基湘教授 ( 香港中文大學醫 68 學院微生物學系系主任 ) 18.10.2013 體重管理 黃以昕小姐 ( 香港中文大學營 122 養研究中心營養師 ) 15.11.2013 認識肝胃健康 吳晉傑醫生 ( 外科專科醫生 ) 113 03.12.2013 運動有益 : 減壓及提升認知功能 余美莉女士 ( 註冊物理治療師 ) 13.12.2013 女性更年期及如何建立和享 李朝暉醫生 ( 婦產科專科醫 受健康快樂人生 生 ) 14.02.2014 認識思覺失調及有關社區資 陳楚儀姑娘 ( 賽馬會思覺健康 源 計劃公眾教育組註冊社工 ) 08.04.2014 空氣污染物對健康的潛在影 黃子惠教授 ( 香港中文大學賽 響 馬會公共衛生及基層醫療學 院 ) 15.04.2014 精神健康急救 黃南輝先生 ( 香港心理衛生會 教育主任 ) 13.05.2014 分享攀登世界奇峰 黃炎良先生 ( 香港攀山協會主 席 ) 14.05.2014 探討網絡成癮及分析其對大 劉振康博士 ( 香港中文大學賽 學生之影響 馬會公共衞生及基層醫療學 院助理講師 ) 18.06.2014 吃出環保海中鮮 杜偉倫博士 [ 世界自然基金會 高級環境保護主任 ( 生態足 印 )] 116 198 44 58 107 51 59 58 III. CONCLUSION CHPP will continue to monitor the development of infectious disease globally and locally. We work closely with different units of the University to promote health and prevent diseases. Through our webpage and regular Chairman s Announcements, CHPP will keep the university informed of infectious disease development and formulate necessary preventive measures. November 2014 4
Committee on Health Promotion and Protection Appendix Composition Chairman: Members: Secretray: Professor Fok Tai-fai, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Mr. Eric Ng, Secretary of the University (ex officio) Dr. Scotty Luk, Director of the 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 Office (ex officio) Mr. Benny Tam, Director of Estates Management (ex officio) Professor Paul Chan, Department of Microbiology Professor Tang Jinling, The Jockey Club of Public Health and Primary Care A representative of the CHPP Working Groups of the nine Colleges* Mr. Raymond Leung, 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 One student representative from the Student Union of CUHK One student representative from the Student Unions of the nine Colleges Ms. Tiffany Chan, Information Co-ordinator, University Health Service Ms. Alice Ho, Communication Co-ordinator, Pro-Vice-Chancellor s Office Ms. Jenny Lam, University Health Service * The nine representatives of the College CHPP Working Groups (namely Professor Ko Wing-hung, CC; Professor Tom Wan, NA; Professor Stephen Wong, UC; Professor Freedom Leung, SC; Professor Janny Leung, MC; and Professor Wong Kam-bo, SH; Professor Louis Lee, YS; Professor Dickon Ng, WS; and Professor Wong Suk-ying Veronica, CW) 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 interinstitutional/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. May 2014 5