Improving Healthcare with New Technologies and Regulatory Controls

Biomedical engineers, scholars, clinicians, regulators and medical device manufacturers set to strengthen collaboration on improving healthcare with innovative technologies and effective regulatory controls at the BME2012 Hong Kong Biomedical Engineering International Conference, which was opened today (6 December 2012) by Mr Anthony Wu, Chairman of Hospital Authority.

Jointly organized by the Biomedical Division of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the biennial Conference introduces the latest R&D results and applications in biomedical engineering, business opportunities, and regulatory affairs of medical devices.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prof. Choy Kin-kuen, President of HKIE, said, “There is a growing recognition worldwide of the enormous impact of biomedical engineering on the improvement of health services and the emergence of biomedical-related industries. In addition, with increasing demand for healthcare quality enhancement, the advancement of biomedical technologies as well as a proper mechanism for regulatory requirements on the safety and efficacy issues of the medical devices are of equally important to biomedical engineers.”

Introducing HKPC’s role in support of the local medical and healthcare device industry, Mr Clement Chen, Chairman of HKPC, said, “We have been working closely with biomedical engineers to promote safety awareness as well as R&D of medical and healthcare devices, and keep the industry abreast of the latest development of regulatory controls of various markets. We also strive to turn groundbreaking research results into commercial applications. For example, we are currently developing a bio-optics turnkey solution to help doctors diagnose potential melanoma with increased accuracy.”

Under the theme of “Improving Healthcare through Innovative Technology and Regulatory Affairs”, the four-day Conference comprises a technical visit and presentations by experts from Canada, Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, UK, and USA. The event is funded by the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme of the HKSAR Government.

Other officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr Chan Fan, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services; Dr Cheung Wai-lun, Director (Cluster Services) of Hospital Authority; Mr Albert Lee, Chairman of Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association; and Dr Chan Kwok-kwan, Chairman of Biomedical Division of HKIE and BME2012 Conference Chair.

For further information, please contact Mr Bryan So of the Conference Secretary at tel. (852) 2788 5548 or e-mail: bme2012@hkpc.org, or visit the Conference website at https://www.hkpc.org/bme2012. For other media enquiries, please contact Mr Felix Chan of HKPC Corporate Communications Division at tel. (852) 2788 5036 or e-mail: felixchan@hkpc.org.

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Mr Jonathan Ho
General Manager
Corporate Communications
Tel: (852) 2788 6390
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: jonathanho@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org

6 December 2012

Prof. Choy Kin-kuen, President of HKIE, gives welcome address

Mr Clement Chen, Chairman of HKPC, address the Conference

Mr Anthony Wu, Chairman of Hospital Authority (centre); Prof. Choy Kin-kuen, President of HKIE (third from left); Mr Clement Chen, Chairman of HKPC (third from right), and other officiating guests open the Conference