Hong Kong’s predictable peak flu seasons do not have to trigger front-page headlines

Feng Chi-shun says better immunisation outreach, isolation wards and alternative boosts to medical manpower can beat the hospital ‘crises’

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The accident and emergency ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei is packed amid the summer flu season, on July 17. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 11:41am, 20 Jul 2017Updated: 6:56pm, 20 Jul 2017

Twice a year, we have a crisis making the front-page news: that emergency rooms and medical wards in public hospitals are overwhelmed by flu patients.

A crisis is usually an unforeseen event wreaking havoc, but flu seasons are as predictable as taxes and death. Why is it then our government is never ready? Are the problems facing the Hospital Authority really insurmountable? Have they learnt anything from all the past flu seasons over the years?

We can do better with our flu immunisation.

Since community immunisation is effective only when a high percentage of citizens are inoculated, the vaccine should be free and readily available. Apart from wide publicity, mobile vaccination vehicles should go to all areas of our city instead of requiring people to make special trips to local outpatient clinics.

Education sector lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen getting a flu vaccine in January. Photo: Sam Tsang

Cross-infection among patients in a closed area is a health hazard discovered in the 19th century, and our health-care professionals are still not doing enough to prevent it. During peak flu seasons, patients with flu symptoms must be segregated from the others. There should be a separate facility to screen flu patients, with a separate entrance, waiting area, and examination rooms.

Slow start to Hong Kong hospital flu bed plan

If hospitalisation is needed, they should go to isolation wards. I advocate a separate wing for flu patients for each of the major public hospitals during peak flu seasons. Bunk beds in corridors and between existing beds is an abomination at any time, and unthinkable during a flu outbreak.