Page 168 - Hospital Authority Convention 2017

Symposiums
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2017

SS5.1 Social Hygiene Service – a Crossover of Clinical Service and 10:45 Theatre 2
Public Health

Social Hygiene Clinic as a Sentinel for Monitoring of Antimicrobial Resistance – the Story of Neisseria
Gonorrhoeae
Kwan CK
Social Hygiene Service, Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Gonorrhoea, caused by bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), is one of the commonest sexually transmitted infection (STI)
in Hong Kong. If left untreated, it can be fatal due to disseminated infection. Moreover, the antimicrobial resistance in NG
is increasing drastically and globally. By reviewing its historical perspective on antibiotic resistance, it was well-known that
antibiotic resistance in NG was developed around every 10 to 20 years and pushing us to change the treatment regime.

Nowadays, extended spectrum of cephalosporins particularly ceftriaxone is the backbone for treatment of NG. However, high
level resistance of ceftriaxone is developing among Neisseria gonorrhoeae which is not only threatening to Hong Kong but
also around the globe.

In order to reduce the emergence of ceftriaxone resistance, Social Hygiene Clinic, the only major public institute providing
STI services in Hong Kong, has implemented several important measures. These include on-site diagnosis of gonorrhoea,
provision of simple and effective treatment immediately at the clinic once the diagnosis of gonorrhoea is confirmed.
Moreover, “test of cure” is arranged for the index patients to ensure gonorrhoea is completely cured. Furthermore, a special
team of nursing staff is formed and responsible for tracing the index patients for “test of cure” and contact tracing of partners
of the index patients. Counselling and education are also provided to emphasise on the importance of treatment compliance
and safe sex. Together with the laboratory support by measuring MIC of ceftriaxone and genetic sequencing of the resistant
genes, Social Hygiene Clinic is working in the front-line to battle the war of NG resistance.

SS5.2 Social Hygiene Service – a Crossover of Clinical Service and 10:45 Theatre 2
Public Health

Pilot HPV Vaccination Programme to the Underprivileged Girls in Hong Kong
Fan S
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Wednesday, 17 May recommended for girls starting from the age of nine. A three-year pilot scheme providing free cervical cancer vaccination
Cervical cancer is the eighth most common female cancer and the eighth leading cause of cancer death in Hong Kong. It is
caused by certain high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection can be prevented by vaccination, which is
to teenage girls from low-income families was launched in October 2016 by the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong
(FPAHK), and funded by the Community Care Fund (CCF). It aims to serve about 31,000 girls at FPAHK’s three Youth
Health Care Centres in Wan Chai, Mong Kok and Kwai Fong. Apart from providing HPV vaccination, the Scheme will also
carry out publicity and education to enhance understanding among parents and teenage girls about cervical cancer and
its prevention, and encourage parents to seek early vaccination to protect the health of their daughters. Scheme planning
and implementation involved intensive and close collaboration among the Food and Health Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR
Government, the donor (CCF), the Department of Health, and FPAHK. Support from schools, mass media and welfare
organisations was indispensable. The heavy workload posed challenges to FPAHK’s managerial skill as well as service
capacity. This presentation will share the experience and highlight the strategies used to meet the challenges.

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