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Channel: Health & Environment - South China Morning Post

Cold weather in Hong Kong to carry on into Tuesday, Observatory says

Cold weather warning issued at 9.45pm on Saturday has remained in force for more than 38 hours.

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Greenpeace urges Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park to improve sustainability

Green group estimate that 860,000 disposable items, including 510,000 paper cups, were used during Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.

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Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority to adopt 6 measures to reduce human error

Database of patients’ wounds, smart medicine cabinets and tracking wristbands among measures to be implemented at all hospitals following string of blunders.

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Hong Kong aims to ban nearly all flavoured smoking products next year

Authorities will also propose banning smoking within three metres of entrances of sites such as schools and hospitals, source says.

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To struggling Hongkongers, rise in healthcare fees just adds to hardship

The government sees the increases as an unavoidable course correction but, for many Hongkongers, it feels like yet another financial squeeze.

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Hong Kong won’t set limit on students’ screen time despite health concerns

Department of Health survey finds more than 60 per cent of students exceed two hours of screen usage daily.

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Companies invited to develop 3 new tourism and recreation areas in Hong Kong

One government plan calls for turning disused quarry on Lamma Island into high-end coastal and hillside resort, complemented by yacht marina.

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For a lasting healthcare fix, Hong Kong must look beyond the symptoms

Cutting healthcare subsidies without a big expansion of primary care investment risks deepening disparities.

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Hong Kong may lose billions in tax revenue over smoking restrictions: lawmaker

Legislator Edward Leung argues tax earnings could be lost as smokers shift to illicit cigarettes, with no major reduction in smoking rate.

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One-third of HIV cases in Hong Kong among low-risk groups such as housewives

Authorities say low-risk cases have higher likelihood of identifying their infections at later stage due to limited awareness.

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An Asia racked by natural disasters needs insurers to step up

Instead of withdrawing from high-risk areas, Asia’s insurers must become an active partner in long-term climate risk management.

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Hong Kong tree enthusiast on high alert for hill fires on Ching Ming Festival

Paul Melsom, a horticulturist who teaches secondary school students, has planted thousands of trees in a Lantau country park over the decades.

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Low visibility as fog blankets Hong Kong amid band of rain and clouds

Forecaster says weather will largely be cloudy and rainy next week, under the influence of upper-air disturbances.

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Hong Kong gas usage remains below pre-pandemic level for sixth straight year

Supplier expects trend to persist while economists attribute lower consumption to changing lifestyles, including increased mainland travel.

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Hongkongers may soon pay deposits for booked public medical services

Residents might also face no-show charges as part of reforms aimed at cutting down on abuse of healthcare system, minister says.

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Hong Kong’s revamped Mong Kok Market Complex to temporarily house health centre

Former market building undergoing four-year makeover has received occupation permit and fire safety certificate, URA says.

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Green design is a daunting challenge that’s well worth the effort

If recycling is not cheaper and faster, is it worth it? Building owners need to understand nature is valuable despite not having a price tag.

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12 non-locally trained dentists issued offers to ease shortage in Hong Kong

All 12 are fluent in Cantonese and English, with three already working in the city as authorities push to fill 80 vacancies.

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Are community pharmacies the magic bullet for Hong Kong’s patients?

How will patients benefit and how much will proposed community pharmacies help Hong Kong’s chronically overstretched public healthcare system?

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What’s behind the rising number of Hong Kong doctors, nurses being disciplined?

Health Bureau’s reply to lawmaker shows 33 instances of disciplinary action against doctors in 2023-24, up from 21 and 14 for two previous years.

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Improve transport services at Hong Kong geopark to support tourism: lawmakers

Call to action from lawmakers follows minister brushing aside similar suggestions and stressing importance of conservation over development.

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Hong Kong lawmakers query need to spend HK$200 million on border health checks

But Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam defends annual expenditure as necessary for early warning system and to ‘safeguard the southern gateway of China’.

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How Hong Kong can tap the potential of its island economies-in-waiting

Hong Kong’s islands and stunning coastline could be a major tourist draw with the right infrastructure, policy reforms and marketing.

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‘Happy little princess’: runaway emu gets royal treatment at Hong Kong animal...

Charity House of Joy and Mercy says it plans to let the public view its ‘pampered’ new resident Miu Miu.

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Hazy skies expected to remain in Hong Kong for several days

Observatory says city experienced its driest April morning since 1984.

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Why is Hong Kong suddenly blanketed in haze and how much longer will it last?

The Post breaks down what’s behind the dusty, dry weather that triggered a health warning.

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Hong Kong lawmakers urge clarity on fee waivers under new healthcare charges

Many elderly residents are unclear about their inclusion under the new policy’s safety net, Kitson Yang says.

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Hong Kong boosts flood response with new robot deployments

The four pumping machines are capable of draining the equivalent of an Olympic-sized swimming pool every hour.

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Hong Kong hit by highest air pollution risk levels in more than 10 areas of city

Central, Mong Kok and Tai Po among areas reaching ‘serious’ levels as dusty northerly airstream brings pollutants to city for second day.

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Hong Kong hits 33 degrees Celsius, haze set to last until later this week

Forecaster says temperatures are highest so far this year, while doctor warns residents in high-risk groups to reduce outdoor activities.

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‘Seriously rotten’ finless porpoise carcass found on Hong Kong outlying island

Discovery of 162cm-long sea mammal on Tuesday raises tally of beached cetaceans in the city this year to 15.

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Hong Kong temperatures set to reach 30 degrees Celsius on Monday

Observatory says humid conditions and a few showers expected over the weekend.

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Crowds bask in sunshine as temperatures exceed 33 degrees in Hong Kong

Observatory says warm weather set to continue for next few days before becoming unsettled in latter part of week.

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Rise in life-threatening meningococcal infections in Hong Kong sparks jabs call

Expert says the disease is still rare in Hong Kong but travellers heading overseas should consider vaccination.

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Metre-long civet cat spotted roaming at Hong Kong shopping centre

Cat seen walking back and forth on glass curtain wall supports at IFC Mall at 7am on Monday, police say.

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Smoke-free floors in Hong Kong public housing ‘infeasible’, ‘unfair’: lawmakers

‘We have to protect the health of non-smokers but cannot deny grass-roots residents the right to smoke. This is a basic choice of theirs,’ lawmaker says.

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70 Hong Kong retailers allegedly sold oxo-degradable plastics despite ban: NGO

Green Earth says investigation suggests plastic bags, bin liners and pet waste bags labelled as ‘oxo-degradable’ had been sold by retailers.

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Hongkongers with spinal cord injuries may regain mobility with help of new lab

New laboratory at Polytechnic University to start clinical trials for advanced therapy products after facility is fully licensed.

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Hong Kong to standardise A&E walkout refunds at 88% amid healthcare reforms

From next year, patients who leave emergency rooms before receiving treatment will be offered the new rate instead of a full refund.

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Hong Kong forests can store over 7 million tonnes of carbon, study finds

Conservancy Association releases findings of three-year study on carbon storage capacity of more than 100 tree species native to Hong Kong.

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Where’s the ‘eco’ in South Lantau’s eco-recreation plan?

There seems to be a greater emphasis on building tourist infrastructure than on conservation, and little effort to dovetail with local communities.

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‘Part of planned Hong Kong highway may encroach on wetlands, affect wildlife’

Public can view study brief on major section of city’s biggest single road project, Northern Metropolis Highway, and provide feedback until May 6.

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Thundery showers approaching Hong Kong in next few hours: Observatory

In special message issued at 6pm, forecaster says some ‘areas of intense thundery showers’ expected to affect vicinity of Pearl River Delta.

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Hong Kong to jail, fine those possessing, using vapes in public from April 2026

Smoking will also be prohibited while residents queue at arts and sports facilities, clinics and other places from next year, according to bill.

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Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority brings in experts to help curb medical blunders

Head of city’s public hospitals vows to strengthen public communication over mistakes as part of measures introduced after performance review.

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Hong Kong’s new tobacco control measures won’t affect tourists: official

Deputy Secretary for Health Eddie Lee says authorities have already taken tourists’ needs into account when drafting new measures.

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How the coming new anti-smoking measures in Hong Kong will affect you

Government reveals more details on eight of 10 tobacco control measures in an amended bill, including a coming ban on alternative smoking products.

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Hong Kong police recover stolen cat from Sham Shui Po store, arrest 2

Officers identified suspects, 46-year-old woman and 43-year-old man, after examining CCTV footage.

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Amid Hong Kong’s focus on tourist numbers, have we forgotten our workers?

Marches for workers’ rights may be a thing of the past but serious issues remain, from imported labour to sexual harassment and construction safety.

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Hongkongers reminded to brace for heavy showers and thunderstorms

‘The weather will improve over the region. With the easterly airstream moderating in the middle and later parts of this week,’ forecaster says.

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