Accountant Anthony Wu has been appointed Hospital Authority Chairman for a two-year term.

First appointed as an authority member in 1999, Mr Wu has been the authority's Finance Committee and Main Tender Board chairman since October 2000. He was a member of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital Governing Committee from 1997 to 2001.

Mr Wu played a significant role in enhancing the authority's financial and administrative control processes and its internal and external audit functions.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow welcomed Mr Wu's appointment, saying his expertise in the accountancy and business fields, vast experience in public service and thorough understanding of the authority's operation made him eminently suitable for such an important post.

"I have every confidence in Mr Wu that under his leadership, the authority would be able to rise to the many challenges that lie ahead and continue to provide the public with quality medical services," Dr Chow said.

He also lauded out-going chairman Dr Leong Che-hung for his strong leadership and unwavering commitment over the past two years, especially during the SARS outbreak.