事項與發展
煙 草 依 賴 治 療 專 家 證 書 培 訓 課 程衞 生 署 副 署 長 閉 幕 致 辭 ( 只 備 英 文 版 本 ) |
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Ladies and gentlemen, I have come here to extend my warmest congratulations to the 35 incredibly hard working students who have gone through the last five days on this first ever course, jointly organised by Mayo, Tung Wah and ourselves. To make the occasion even more complete, it is just perfect that the full panel of our international advisors is also here to witness this morning's historical moment. Afterall, the course is very much the output of its recommendation made just a little more than a year ago. I really am too pleased that the introduction of this course has been so positively received across a wide spectrum of opinions. We in the Department of Health believe that it will be of vital importance that the local capacity for treating tobacco dependence be built up if we are to aim, first to bring the smoking prevalence down to a single digit and then take it all the way to zero. True that basic economic principles will tell you that the marginal gains that we are aiming at will, by definition, become more and more costly in terms of inputs. Yet, such must be prices that we are more than willing to pay, against the other option of managing all the dreaded consequences of tobacco dependence. On this, I have the Tung Wah Group to thank in particular, not only for sharing with us the same view, but also for walking their talk through very generous donations and the delivery of a programme so much after our International Panel's recommendations. Of course, nothing would have been possible had Mayo not consented to be involved. We are but greatly indebted to its generosity and partnership. I hear from students that they thoroughly enjoyed their tutors' instructions. So, Jennifer and Tim - the happy duet not coming from the Twin Cities of Minnesota, thanks for a job well done. I am more than convinced that you have demonstrated your worth of another set of returned tickets between Rochester, Minnesota and Hong Kong. But the task of selecting the recipients each time is to say the least, a head scratching exercise! For this and his many other contributions, I cannot thank Richard, my learned friend who pioneered tobacco dependence treatment adequately. Coming back to today's stars - the students, very soon, I believe all of you will prove your worth of the blessed of being certified as tobacco treatment specialists. You should then be better able to rise to the challenges of managing tobacco dependence. Ladies and gentlemen, let us wish all successful students every possible good fortune and huge success for the future. We owe you all a great debt of gratitude for joining the public health fight tobacco workforce at wherever you may choose to serve. Fighters, I salute you all and wish you a very well deserved Chinese New Year holiday. Dr. Gloria TAM, JP |
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