Commonground
Senior Moderator
Ends/Thursday, September 24, 2026
The Infection Control Branch (ICB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) today (September 24) convened a meeting of the Working Group on Collaboration between the CHP and Private Hospitals on Infection Control (working group) to discuss the Antibiotic Stewardship Programme (ASP) and infection control measures with representatives from private hospitals across Hong Kong. The goal is to jointly combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Head of the ICB of the CHP, Dr Edmond Ma, said at the meeting that private hospitals are key stakeholders in preventing infectious diseases and combating AMR. AMR surveillance data in private hospitals in 2025 revealed that among all the Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from clinical specimens, the proportion of methicillin-resistant strains ranged from 9 to 24 per cent. While this is comparable to the corresponding proportions of 2024, the trends still require close monitoring.
"Optimising the use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, is one of the major strategies for controlling AMR under the Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (Action Plan). One of the objectives is to enhance ASP in private hospitals to reduce unnecessary prescriptions and curb the development of AMR," said Dr Ma.
At the meeting, representatives from the CHP and private hospitals exchanged views on the current status and practical implementation of ASP. Drawing on international and local experiences, the representatives focused their discussion on five key elements, including leadership support, monitoring of antibiotic usage, implementing and reporting ASP, and continuous education among healthcare workers. The CHP recommended that private hospitals strengthen their existing ASP in these five key areas to ensure that doctors within the hospital prescribe antibiotics based on scientific evidence and in accordance with patients' needs.
Continued: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/24/P2026092400305.htm
The Infection Control Branch (ICB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) today (September 24) convened a meeting of the Working Group on Collaboration between the CHP and Private Hospitals on Infection Control (working group) to discuss the Antibiotic Stewardship Programme (ASP) and infection control measures with representatives from private hospitals across Hong Kong. The goal is to jointly combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Head of the ICB of the CHP, Dr Edmond Ma, said at the meeting that private hospitals are key stakeholders in preventing infectious diseases and combating AMR. AMR surveillance data in private hospitals in 2025 revealed that among all the Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from clinical specimens, the proportion of methicillin-resistant strains ranged from 9 to 24 per cent. While this is comparable to the corresponding proportions of 2024, the trends still require close monitoring.
"Optimising the use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, is one of the major strategies for controlling AMR under the Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (Action Plan). One of the objectives is to enhance ASP in private hospitals to reduce unnecessary prescriptions and curb the development of AMR," said Dr Ma.
At the meeting, representatives from the CHP and private hospitals exchanged views on the current status and practical implementation of ASP. Drawing on international and local experiences, the representatives focused their discussion on five key elements, including leadership support, monitoring of antibiotic usage, implementing and reporting ASP, and continuous education among healthcare workers. The CHP recommended that private hospitals strengthen their existing ASP in these five key areas to ensure that doctors within the hospital prescribe antibiotics based on scientific evidence and in accordance with patients' needs.
Continued: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/24/P2026092400305.htm