I have been deeply saddened to learn from the news about the recent flooding in Australia, especially in Sydney and surrounding areas in New South Wales where the effects of flooding seemed to be greatest. As a kind of natural disaster, floods can have great impacts on individuals and the communities with potential sequelae in social, economic and environmental aspects. In fact, the health impacts of floods can include an increase in the communicable diseases transmission, trauma and related injuries, and mental health issues. Floods can pose threats to major infrastructures like water and power supplies. (Please Click) My thoughts are with those who have been impacted by the floods, and I firmly believe that our sister College, the RACGP, will play an important leadership role in facilitating the GPs to help and care for the victims and the families affected by the floods. I hope that the flooding in Australia would end soon and people can return to their normal lives.

The Hong Kong Primary Care Conference 2022 has been successfully held between 17th to 19th of June 2022 via the online platform. We have received a total of over 800 delegates registrations this year, including local and overseas colleagues. We are very grateful towards all your participation and support, and the tremendous work of the Organising Committee, the Scientific Committee, Publication Subcommittee, Business Manager, Information Technology Subcommittee, Nurse and Allied Health planners and the College Secretariat. I have received great feedback from participants appreciating the clinical contents of the HKPCC being highly relevant to their day to day clinical practice. We must continue to strive to better ourselves next year.

The 27th WONCA Europe Conference was held from 28th June to 1st July 2022 in London as a hybrid Conference. I attended the hybrid Meeting of WONCA Council 2022. After a warm welcome by the WONCA President Dr. Anna Stavdal, a series of business reports and council matters were deliberated upon with fruitful outcomes. Many familiar faces showed up in the Council Meeting, including Prof. Amanda Howe, Prof. Michael Kidd, Prof. Donald Li, just to name a few.

The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is between 1st and 7th August each year. The theme for this year is “Step up for Breastfeeding - Educate and Support”. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breastmilk is the ideal food for infants because it is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life. Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers. 

The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians' Prize in Family Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is awarded to the best overall performance in Family Medicine each year. This year, the recipient is Miss Cheung Cheuk Sin, Bernice. I am very grateful towards our Council Member Dr. Chan Chi Wai, Edmond who has kindly agreed to represent our College to present the award to Miss Cheung on stage on 11th June 2022 during the CUHK Teachers' & Students’ Awards Presentation Ceremony 2022.

Please keep well and stay safe.