Prominent academics and medical professionals have been appointed to the Centre for Health Protection's advisory committee.

It will advise on the functional and organisational framework of the centre, its functions and roles, and the directions of training, research and development. It will also monitor its development progress.

Members include healthcare professionals, experts of disciplines relevant to the centre's work, and senior Government officials under the chairmanship of Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Carrie Yau.

Other members are:

* the Medical Association's Dr Chan Man-chung;

* University of Science & Technology's Dr Joseph Kwan;

* Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan;

* College of Community Medicine President Edith Lau;

* Private Hospitals' Association Chairman Dr Walton Li;

* Chinese University Professor Joseph Sung;

* Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang;

* Polytechnic University's Professor Thomas Wong;

* Hospital Authority's Dr Vivian Wong;

* Doctors' Union President Dr Yeung Chiu-fat;

* Permanent Secretary for Security Stanley Ying;

* the HK Jockey Club's William Yiu; and

* University of HK Professor Yuen Kwok-yung.

The committee will hold its first meeting on November 13 to review relevant overseas experience and discuss the centre's initial framework.

The centre will be set up within the Government and mainly financed by Government resources. The Jockey Club has in principle pledged $500 million to support the centre's establishment.