The impact of COVID-19 pandemic to the world is unprecedented bold in terms of intensity and duration. Starting in January 2020, Hong Kong has experienced four waves of COVID-19 outbreak over 16 months, approaching a total of 12,000 cases. Hong Kong is a place that admit all confirmed cases of COVID-19 to hospitals for isolation. Hospital Authority (HA), the statutory body responsible for managing all public hospitals in Hong Kong, has been encountering a variety of challenges. What are the strengths and weaknesses of HA? What are the opportunities and threats HA facing? Lessons learnt from the SARS experience laid the foundation for the preparedness in response to major infectious disease outbreaks and crises. HA has the infection control infrastructure in place. It encompasses teams of expertise in infection control and infectious diseases and regular infection control training for frontline staff, as well as the hardware and software such as isolation facilities, stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE), capacity of laboratory diagnostic testing, establishment of surveillance systems etc. Nevertheless, with the limited knowledge of this novel emerging infectious disease, COVID-19, uncertainties cast doubt on staff confidence, even for the professionals. Meanwhile, the global shortage of PPE supply, the insistent service demand during winter surge, and various forms of industrial actions pose further difficulties on combating the ongoing epidemic. How does HA utilize its strengths and opportunities to overcome its weaknesses and threats? Strategic service enhancement and adjustment facilitate the implementation of different response measures. In particular, multi-disciplinary engagement with concerted effort plays the key role. This includes not only the contributions by all colleagues from the frontline, the backend, and the Board members, but also the support from the Central Government and HKSAR Government. We shall look back, look ahead, and continue to stay vigilant at all times.
