Gov’t says infectious diseases building will not affect neighborhood

Representatives of the Health Bureau pictured yesterday during a press conference about the infectious diseases building plan

The building expected to be constructed for the Health Bureau’s division for treatment of infectious diseases will include several effective infection prevention and control measures to safeguard the health and safety of those living in the vicinity of the building, according to a government announcement.
Authorities plan to erect the new building close to the Conde S. Januário Hospital, a decision that is not being well-received by nearby residents. Construction is planned to start in the third quarter of 2016. In order to build the facility, two buildings that were previously being used by the Social Welfare Bureau as a drug rehab facility and as a storage unit for the hospital will be demolished.
The government says that the location will allow health services to act promptly and effectively in case of an outbreak of an infectious disease, and would help to prevent further spreads or recurrences.
The decision to construct the building close to the city’s main public medical facility was made after assessing several factors. Given that most cases of infectious disease in Macau are reported to the Conde S. Januário Hospital, the risk to public health would be lower if the infected patients were to be transferred to a nearby medical facility for treatment, thereby minimizing the risk of exposure to the public, stated the Health Bureau (SSM).
In addition, the treatment of infected patients also requires support from medical specialist teams from the hospital. SSM says that Macau needs a specialized facility to effectively treat infectious diseases as the world grapples with increasing outbreaks of such diseases.
Plans to build a facility of this nature were initially discussed after the outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in neighboring regions in 2003.
The planned building for the treatment of infectious diseases will have an area of 5,565 square meters. The 12-storey building will include 120 wards specially equipped for infection control and treatment of patients, and a number of world-class medical facilities.