In the eye of the storm: Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Carrie Yau, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, and Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd Chairman David Eldon admire Leong Ka-tai's photo of a SARS ICU Unit worker delivering a teddy bear to a patient.

In the Eye of the Storm, an exhibit of  photographs that pays tribute to the people that dedicated themselves in the battle against SARS, opened at two venues today.

The 20 photos on display - at Times Square in Causeway Bay and Shatin New Town Plaza - capture the individuals and organisations engaged in frontline efforts and support campaigns undertaken at the height of the crisis.

The subjects range from an estate cleaning lady to the Director of Health, from a ward assistant to an ICU nurse.

Hong Kong changed for good in wake of SARS

Addressing the opening ceremony at Times Square today, Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd Chairman David Eldon recognised the people who participated in the fight against SARS and acknowledged the community spirit spawned by the outbreak.

After SARS, he said, Hong Kong will not be the same again, "and I think this is a good thing".

He added: "While this exhibition documents what some people did in the battle against SARS, it also serves as a timely reminder of what all of us need to do going forward. Simply put, each and every person in Hong Kong can and must play an active role in making Hong Kong clean and keeping Hong Kong healthy."

'Everyone joined hands to fight SARS'

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said: "A few months ago, Hong Kong was confronted with a new disease about which we had very little knowledge, and no direct experience we could rely on. Our strategy mainly evolved with each piece of new information, and with the benefit of each previous encounter. Despite our efforts we were unable to prevent the epidemic."

The disease took a heavy toll, not only on the healthcare system but on everyone in the community, he said. The impact on our personal and social lives was as distressing as it was devastating to our economy.Yet Hong Kong rose to the challenge, and everyone joined hands to fight SARS.

This exhibition offers a glimpse of that extraordinary battle as seen through the camera lens, he added.

"These photographs are a tribute to the men and women of Hong Kong who answered the call to serve, regardless of the considerable pain, stress or danger they faced. It is also a tribute to the individuals who survived this pernicious disease, to those who did not, and to those who lost loved ones but still must carry on," Dr Yeoh added.

Factual documentary portrayed

Renowned photographer Leong Ka Tai took the photographs. "I wanted to create a factual documentary of the behind-the-scenes campaigns that were undertaken during the crisis. This approach reflects the magnitude of the battle against SARS and gives it some order," he said.

"Most people had no idea of the extent of the collective efforts involved. We also wanted to show what went on inside the hospitals and what the patients and those at risk were facing."

Readers are encouraged to visit the exhibit in person, to sign and post a thank you to the heroes who worked hard on behalf of the whole community.

Where to see In the Eye of the Storm

The exhibition, supported by the Hong Kong Government and HSBC, will be shown at the following venues:

* June 25-July 3, Times Square, Ground Floor Covered Piazza, Causeway Bay;

* June 25-July 4, Shatin New Town Plaza, Entrance Arena and Food Parc, Sha Tin;

* July 5-July 10, East Point, Level 1 Atrium, Tseung Kwan O; and

* July 5-July 13, Cityplaza Ground Floor North, Taikoo Shing.

Click here to see the video; click here to see the Photo Gallery. (Copyright of all photos is exclusive to Leong Ka Tai.)