Seven Chinese Medicine Experts Arrive In HK

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday welcomed seven mainland Chinese medicine experts at the border as they arrived to help with Hong Kong's Covid fight.

The delegation joins more than 300 mainland healthcare workers already in the city, and they will be treating patients and helping those in recovery.

"As we all know, Chinese medicine is very effective in rehabilitation. So after Covid-19 patients have been cured, particularly elderly patients, then the use of Chinese medicine can help them with speedy recovery," Lam told reporters.

"That's why we want to have more experts to come, to give us advice."

Lam said she has asked the experts to visit elderly care homes to see how Covid infections can be prevented, and how those infected can be treated with Chinese medicine.

She said the mainland experts will also discuss with local practitioners the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

The head of the delegation, Tong Xiaolin from the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said Chinese medicine has its specialty in nursing the overall health of patients, especially the elderly who may have underlying chronic problems.

Tong said his team have been to many parts of the country to help with fighting Covid, and Chinese medicine was very effective in tackling a wave of Omicron infections in Tianjin.