Speed matters: Dr York Chow says a swift response is crucial in tackling infectious diseases. Acting Director of Health Dr Leung Pak-yin is seated to his right.

The Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau should make more use of  information technology to speed up the exchange of data regarding pandemics, says Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow.

Dr Chow made the appeal to fellow delegates at the fifth three-way meeting of senior health officials held in Macau today. He argued a swift response was crucial in tackling infectious diseases.

Speaking at the meeting opening, he said co-operation and communication between the three places were much closer since a co-operation agreement on a  response mechanism for public health emergencies was signed last October.

"Avian influenza and an influenza pandemic have posed a serious threat to the international community," Dr Chow said.

He stressed the three places should strengthen and improve their exchanges and co-operation in monitoring, forewarning and handling cases of people with avian flu infection and new types of flu.They should also enhance exchanges, training and scientific research co-operation.

The two-day meeting will cover: 

* how to implement the cooperation agreement;

* the discharge of a framework convention on tobacco control;

* medical and healthcare system building;

* developing community health services in cities;

* traditional Chinese medicine in disease prevention; and

* hospital management.