A working group will be formed to realize recommendations made by the SARS Expert Committee in Hong Kong, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Tung Chee Hwa said Thursday.

The independent SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) Expert Committee submitted earlier Thursday a full report of the SARS, titled "SARS in Hong Kong, from Experience to Action".

The Committee, set up on May 28, reviewed the management and control of SARS outbreak in Hong Kong earlier this year in the report.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Yeoh Eng-kiong will be responsible for the co-ordination work to study the suggestions made by the SARS Expert Committee, set priorities and set out a timetable for the implementation of those suggestions, Tung said.

The Committee's co-chairpersons Cyril Chantler, Sian Griffiths, and members Rosie Young and Lee Shiu-hung, have been invited to join a committee to supervise the working group, according to Tung.

Tung said the experts' report criticizes a number of shortcomings in Hong Kong's public health system, infection- control, internal co-ordination, contingency measures, hospital operation and the dissemination of information during the SARS outbreak.

The chief executive noted that Yeoh has accepted the criticism and will take responsibility for the inadequacy in the public health system, adding that Yeoh has learned a lesson and will do a better job in the future.

Tung also held that the government will carefully study the experts' advice and make appropriate arrangements for SARS patients and their families.

Noting the SARS Experts Committee comprises renowned medical experts from around the world, Tung stated the Committee's investigation was independent, just and fair.

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