Team member stands by findings, but health director backs his department
A member of the Hospital Authority panel that investigated the handling of the Sars outbreak yesterday defended its report against government criticism, saying it had been fair.
Peter Yuen Pok-man, professor of management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said it was inevitable that the team had to examine the role of other government departments to get a 'full picture' of the Sars outbreak.
The seven-member panel, chaired by Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman Ronald Arculli, was appointed by the Hospital Authority board in May to 'review what transpired and examine what could be done' if Sars re-emerges, he said.
'We were not trying to cross the boundary to investigate other bodies. However, the authority was not working on its own. Public hospitals had to work together with other departments in handling the outbreak,' Professor Yuen said.
He said that he understood the criticism and as a member of the team he would stand by its work.
'We believe that our report is very fair and unbiased. We have to put down our comments in the report in a direct and frank manner,' Professor Yuen said.
