HKU Primary Health Care Academy Designated as WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Nursing Workforce Development in Primary Health Care
The Primary Health Care Academy (PHCA) in the School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has been officially designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Nursing Workforce Development in Primary Health Care. This designation recognises HKU's leadership in advancing primary health care and strengthening the health and nursing workforce in the Western Pacific Region.
As a WHO Collaborating Centre, the Academy will serve as a regional platform to support workforce development and health system transformation through capacity building, research, knowledge exchange and partnership. Building on its ongoing work, the Academy has delivered primary health care training programmes for nurses to strengthen competencies in community-based care and noncommunicable disease prevention. It is also collaborating with the Hospital Authority and the Government to develop and deliver smoking cessation training, supporting frontline healthcare professionals in preventive care and health promotion.
Professor Sophia Chan, Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Nursing Workforce Development in Primary Health Care and Director of the HKU Primary Health Care Academy, said, "This designation marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between HKU, WHO and regional partners in advancing primary health care and workforce development. In April, I will represent the Centre at the WHO Global Forum of Collaborating Centres to engage in international exchange and strengthen collaboration with partners worldwide. I believe these efforts will help translate evidence into action and contribute to more sustainable, equitable and people-centred primary health care systems."
