Confronted with the attack of atypical pneumonia, people from allwalks of life in Hong Kong have joined hands during the past monthto combat against the disease.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive TungChee Hwa, while acknowledging that the impact of atypical pneumoniaon Hong Kong's economy is long-term and profound, has pledged ondifferent occasions that Hong Kong SAR government will come up witha series of measures to overcome difficulties brought by atypicalpneumonia, which is the top priority for the SAR government for thetime being.

Tung has also required the Hospital Authority to mobilize allsources to provide sound environment for the medical staff who aretaking care of the patients infected with atypical pneumonia, withTung visiting the hospital himself.

The Legislative Council, in a swift movement, voted to earmarkHK$200 million (US$25.6 million) for the battle against atypicalpneumonia. The fund, according to a spokesman with the SARgovernment, will be used to finance curing of the patients,controlling infection of the virus and educating the public on theknowledge relating to the virus.

Moreover, the 18 district councils in Hong Kong have eachvolunteered HK$20,000, for a total of HK$360,000 (US$46,2000), forthe medical staff working in the front line against the disease topurchase necessities.

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, to show his appreciation for the hardwork and bravery of the 50,000 medical staff in Hong Kong who aredealing with the highly infectious disease, has donated one millionoranges specially ordered from the United States.

Toshow its support for campaigns combating atypical pneumoniaoutbreak, Eagle Star Insurance Group, one of the top 10 insurancecompanies in Hong Kong, has decided to provide HK$1 million tolocal organizations combating and preventing atypical pneumoniathrough education, research or health programs for the localcommunity.

Peter Schelling, managing director and CEO of Eagle Star InsuranceGroup, said, "As a corporate citizen, we see the urgency ofproviding timely assistance to community members amidst theunfortunate outbreak of atypical pneumonia. For this reason, weproactively canceled this year's Annual Convention which wasscheduled to take place in France and have decided to allocate thebudget to this meaningful course instead."

Tocater to the needs of the primary and middle-school students whoare currently studying at home as classes are temporarily suspendedto prevent the outbreak of atypical pneumonia, some interneteducation service providers in Hong Kong have put on on-lineprograms to those students free of previous charge.

The Social Welfare Department has put up an emergency specialassistance program to those badly affected by the disease. Thedepartment had granted 264 applications a total sum of HK$220,000by April 9, according to Sandy So, the department's informationofficer. The department's hotline service has also answered some200 calls on atypical pneumonia since March 28.

Inaddition, various organizations in Hong Kong have donated thingslike face masks and medicine to the public. People, in their parts,send post cards, notes and emails to their friends and the medicalstaff to express their condolence and support during this period ofhard times.

Besides fighting with the disease, the SAR government is alsopondering measures to stimulate the economy once the disease isunder control. Financial Secretary Antony Leung noted that the SARgovernment will stage measures to ensure the recovery of theeconomy and to support the industries seriously hit by the diseaseto tide over.

Alarge number of Hong Kong performers attending the 22nd Hong KongFilm Awards on April 6 also called on the public to "love Hong Kong" and unite together in the fight against atypical pneumoniafor a better future.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2003)