The Department of Health today clarified that patients requiring treatment will not be affected by the participation of its staff in upcoming large-scale drills scheduled to be held at Kai Tak Sports Park.

In response to media reports, the department explained that there are minor adjustments to the appointment dates for student health services (non-therapeutic).

Apart from stressing that the public concerned have agreed to such adjustments, it pointed out that only two of the appointments will be postponed by one working day, while the others will be brought forward by two to 10 working days.

In connection with the two large-scale drills to be held at the Kai Tak Sports Park on January 24 and February 4, the department said that it has to deploy about 1,700 staff for participation.

It also noted that in accordance with the Civil Service Bureau’s instruction to make advanced preparations for the manpower deployments in light of the upcoming drills, service heads should deploy staff to take part in them according to operational situations and endeavour to avoid any disruption to public services.

Following the allocation of staff, the Student Health Service brought forward the appointment dates of 13 cases by two to 10 working days and postponed the appointment dates of two cases by one working day, with the agreement of the individuals concerned.

The department indicated that the Student Health Service provides regular health assessment and health education of a preventive nature to students and emphasised that no patients requiring treatment have been affected as a result.

In addition to stating that it is committed to protecting the people’s health, the department made it clear that it will make more careful planning and strengthen internal co-ordination to avoid any disruption to public services with regard to staff deployment to take part in future drills.