The Government attaches great importance in enhancing the quality of medical services and it is carrying out reforms for a better system to meet the people’s increasing healthcare needs.

This is according to the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, who told the Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Ms Li Bin, in a meeting on 17 May before the opening of the 68th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr Tam said he was looking forward to more co-operation opportunities between local institutes and the mainland, including more exchanges of medical staff, to enhance standards.

He thanked Ms Lin for the country’s support in building a contact mechanism, allowing the Government to receive the latest information on epidemics to prevent outbreaks, especially during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003.

Ms Li said the Commission would give full support to the Macao Government in developing a better medical service system; the Commission was looking forward to more involvement from Macao in strengthening its countrywide rescue team, following the call for a new global health emergency workforce by the Assembly.

The following day (18 May) Mr Tam attended the opening of the Assembly, as a member of the Chinese delegation, along with the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Lai Ieng Kit; the Director of the Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion; and the Deputy Director of the Health Bureau and Director of the Conde S. Januário hospital, Mr Kuok Cheong U.

The World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). This year, it is being held in Geneva between 18-26 May. Its main functions are to stipulate policies for WHO, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.