The Princess Margaret Hospital's new infectious disease block will be dedicated to the healthcare workers who died in the SARS fight and to others who contributed to it, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong says.

To commemorate their fighting spirit against SARS, the Government will lay a plaque at a prominent place inside the new infectious centre to be built in the hospital by June 2007.

"I am immensely proud of all our healthcare workers, both in the frontline and management, supporting or professional personnel, for the way they rose to the challenge," Dr Yeoh said.

"They have, through their resilience, selfless service and self-sacrifice, shown everyone the true meaning of professionalism and care. We remain in their debt.

"Although most healthcare workers do not think about dying in the line of duty, some, sadly, gave their lives so that others may live.

"It was only because of the heroic efforts of everyone involved that SARS was eventually brought under control. I salute all healthcare workers for making Hong Kong a safer place," he said.

The Legislative Council's Finance Committee approved a funding of $538 million for the construction of the new infectious disease centre on June 25.

The new centre will provide 108 isolation beds and accommodate a clinical laboratory for the handling, collection and distribution of highly infectious specimens, and an office of the Infection Control Branch of the Centre for Health Protection.