Hong Kong to increase testing capacity for lead in blood as tainted water crisis grows
Second hospital to be added after age limit for free tests raised amid continuing contamination crisis
Some 300 residents of public housing estates with lead-contaminated water, mostly children, had their blood tested for the heavy metal over the weekend at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei, as the government announced it would increase testing capacity.
Their results will arrive before Saturday, with some of the blood samples being sent to laboratories overseas.
Although the age limit for children to qualify for free blood tests has been increased from six to eight, Health minister Dr Ko Wing-man said yesterday that for the time being, priority would still be given to three vulnerable groups: children younger than six, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
He also said the city would start testing at a second hospital at the end of the month.
Ko said if more residents required blood tests, the government would make special arrangements to raise its capacity, but that might be a challenge.
"Although we have raised the age to eight years old due to residents' demands, I think it is not easy to further increase" the scope of people qualified for the free tests, Ko said yesterday. "Due to this change, the waiting time has already lengthened."