'Disease Expert's Reported Departure Will Impact HK'

A top health expert has said that University of Hong Kong's decision not to renew globally well-known pandemic expert Professor Keiji Fukuda would have an impact on the city, if the report is true.

Professor David Hui was reacting to a Ming Pao report on Wednesday that Fukuda will leave his job at the HKU after its vice-chancellor Zhang Xiang decided not to renew his contract.

The university said in a statement on Wednesday night that it did not comment on individual cases. It said decisions on contracts were based on personal academic achievement and the university's development. The person's nationality was not a factor.

Fukuda joined the university in 2016 and his five-year contract will end next year. Prior to taking up the job at HKU, he worked at the World Health Organisation (WHO) as assistant director-general for health security and environment.

Both Hui and Fukuda are members of Hong Kong government's anti-epidemic advisory team.

Hui, who is a professor at the Chinese University, said Fukuda has given many suggestions on the government's anti-epidemic measures, and also disseminated information about infectious diseases to the public during the fight against the epidemic.

Speaking to a radio programme on Wednesday, Hui said Fukuda's departure from HKU would have an impact on Hong Kong.

He also described Fukuda as a good friend, and described him as a talented man in the field of public health with a thorough grasp of epidemiology.

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