Middle and senior level Health Bureau staff today took part in a session to reflect in-depth on how to integrate the "four musts" and four proposals raised by President Xi Jinping into the reform of the healthcare system.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau spoke at the session to share the spirit of the important speech delivered by President Xi at the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Prof Lo incorporated the President's four proposals into the future direction of the Health Bureau: Government dominating; be bold and committed; leading the Greater Bay Area; be creative and innovative; improving the healthcare system; caring for all patients; seeking common ground while allowing differences; and winning mutually in the reforms.

He said the Government should focus on safeguarding citizens' health and enhancing their happiness in daily life, building up a "Healthy Hong Kong" which can merge into the "Healthy China".

Prof Lo added that the President's speech not only provides crucial guidance on governance by the Hong Kong SAR Government in the coming five years but also sets out a high-level policy direction to achieve the targets.

The health chief noted: “President Xi's important speech reflects in full his care, attention and support for the Hong Kong SAR as well as the country's staunch and firm commitment to the full and faithful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems'. It is of great significance and meaning.”

He also encouraged bureau colleagues to grasp the core essence of President Xi's speech and build it into their own work, continue to duly perform their duties in a pragmatic manner, keep seeking improvement and adopt a results-oriented approach.

By doing so, the Health Bureau can become a policy bureau of "active response" and "prompt action", and strive to meet the expectations of the central government and the public, Prof Lo added.