Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow told the Legislative Council here Wednesday that the third round of medical examinations which is timed 18 months after the patients' recovery from SARS is being conducted.

These examinations assess the respiratory dysfunction, orthopedic dysfunction as well as the overall physical and psychological conditions of the patients. Where necessary, the patients may be referred to the relevant specialists for further follow-up assessment or treatment, Chow said.

According to him, the medical examinations described above are offered to all post-SARS patients. They are not limited to those who are applying or have applied for assistance under the Trust Fund for SARS.

The Hospital Authority (HA) asked all post-SARS patients to return for medical examinations at 6-month intervals. A total of 12 designated post-SARS clinics have been set up in various acute public hospitals to conduct these examinations.

Source: Xinhua