HK's health chief quits over SARS
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-07-07 22:08

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa announced Wednesday night that he has accepted the resign of Hong Kong Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Yeoh Eng-Kiong.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (L) accepts the resignation of Secretary for Health Yeoh Eng-kiong (R) at a news conference in Hong Kong July 7, 2004. [AFP]

Tung made the remarks at a press conference Wednesday in response to the Report of the Legislative Council's Selective Committee to inquire into the handling of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Tung said Yeoh will remain at his post for another three months before the appointment of a new Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food.

Tung praised Yeoh for his all-out efforts in Hong Kong's anti- SARS campaign last year and his efforts for prevention of avian flu in Hong Kong.

Tung praised Yeoh for his selfless devotion for Hong Kong, expressing his thanks to Yeoh on behalf of Hong Kong citizens.

Tung also expressed condolence for the SARS victims in Hong Kong.

Yeoh said at the press conference that he felt great pleasure to serve Hong Kong residents in the past 33 years.

Yeoh took up the current post in July 1, 2002.

A legislative report released Monday said that Yeoh had performed his job inadequately — paying too little attention to SARS when it was spreading in mainland China in early 2003 and later issuing statements that misled a nervous public about the severity of the disease after it arrived in Hong Kong.

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