Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong health officials have agreed to co-operate on infectious disease research and further boost the notification system on outbreaks and other health incidents.

They met in Shenzhen yesterday and today for comprehensive and in-depth discussions and experience sharing.

Topics included measures to prevent and control SARS and other infectious diseases, immunisation policy, the AIDS situation and further co-operation of experts from the three jurisdictions.

They agreed to start collaboration on scientific research and to strengthen exchange and collaboration on surveillance.

A Guangdong-HK-Macau AIDS epidemiological study will be conducted in three phases. An expert team will be set up and academic forums on infectious diseases prevention and control will be held in the three jurisdictions in turn.

They vowed continuous improvement of the notification mechanism for infectious diseases and public health incidents, and will further improve the established notification mechanism and enhance information exchange.

They will examine planning for infectious disease treatment facilities and agreed to continue visiting one another's facilities, especially those for SARS treatment.

Training and visits on public health and infectious diseases will be arranged. Professionals can attend seminars and training courses organised by the other parties.

Visits and meetings by senior health officials will be increased. The next meeting will be held in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong officials included Director of Health Dr P.Y. Lam, Deputy Director of Health Dr P.Y. Leung, Hospital Authority Director (Professional Services & Public Affairs) Dr Ko Wing-man and Senior Executive Manager Dr Liu Shao-haei.