Improve tuberculosis control in Hong Kong

Abstract

More than one-third of the world population is infected with Tuberculosis (TB). World Health Organization has declared Tuberculosis as a global public health emergency in 1993. The people, affected by TB, are usually living in developing countries. In fact, TB is especially prevalent in Southeast Asia. China has been listed as a country with a high TB burden yet there are 150 “one-way permit” holders, across the border in China, for settlement purposes in Hong Kong. There is neither any health requirement nor obligatory physical examination before entry into Hong Kong. Unlike other developed countries, Hong Kong has no screening policy for people from Mainland China for migration purpose. The aim of this project is to explore the possibilities for different screening policies for new immigrants in Hong Kong, similar to those adopted by developed countries. Objectives include: (a) review of research articles and (b) careful perusal of selected government documents. Electronic databases of research articles for migration screening policy and data from World Health Organization, United Nations and other international and local authorizes were searched and analyzed to suggest practical policies for Hong Kong. Findings indicate that most developed countries have implemented pre-arrival screening policy, which is not practical in Hong Kong. Studies showed no significant difference between ‘pre’, ‘on’ or ‘post’ arrival programmes. Post arrival screening could be considered as the most suitable option for Hong Kong, according to the analyses of the data. Tuberculosis and Chest Service, Department of Health has the capacity to act as the screening authority for settlement purpose and could provide expert recommendation to Immigration Department about the health status of permanent residency applicants. Given the importance of screening, in various countries, to reduce the incidence of TB, Hong Kong could and should adopt a screening policy in order to decrease new notifications and enhance the local public health status.