On 7 January 2010, the news of a
doctor being admitted to Queen Mary Hospital set off the alarm for the safety
of the Human Swine Influenza (HSI) vaccine. It was announced by the Center for Health
Protection, Department of Health, that “on 6 January 2010,
the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) received report of a 58-year-old man who complained of lower limb weakness and was admitted to
Queen Mary Hospital (QMH). The patient developed sudden onset of bilateral calf pain
and increasing lower limb weakness since 28
December 2009. He was admitted to QMH on
2 January 2010. He received human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine on 24
December 2009 in a government
outpatient clinic. Clinical examination revealed bilateral ascending lower limb
weakness. Currently his condition is listed as serious and his vital signs are stable. The first nerve conduction test showed
prolonged distal motor latency, which was compatible with
early phase of GBS and other demyelinating diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination did not identify other cause for the symptoms. Other
investigations are ongoing to confirm the diagnosis.”
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a known adverse
effect of HSI vaccination. By statistics,
we are bound to encounter one or more cases if we give HSI vaccines to a large
population. It is difficult to establish
causal relationship between a single case of GBS and HSI vaccination. Evidence shows that it is more beneficial for
patients with chronic illnesses and citizens at age extremes to receive HSI
vaccines. Therefore the CHP maintained
that the vaccination program continued and urged high risk groups to receive
HSI vaccines promptly. However, the
public reacted with skepticism. The
number of people receiving vaccination dropped sharply with the announcement of
the news. This is understandable, especially
when there have been debates on the efficacy and safety of the vaccines. I also believe that it is sensible and logical
to withhold vaccination for a short period of time (say one to two weeks) just
to make sure that there is no more incident of related adverse effects.
I sincerely wish that the
doctor will recover completely and uneventfully.
To mark the beginning of the
year 2010, the HKMA Office Bearers and Council Members give their New Year
wishes to our members in this issue. My
wish is that members can develop prajna
(which is a Sanskrit term, meaning “wisdom” in Buddhism). While attaining the wisdom of Buddha, we can “see
things as they really are”. Of course
this term is a bit circular. One can
never be sure of things as they are “truly are”, since there is no recognized
proof for it. Moreover, even if we can
see things are they truly are, whether we can accept these “facts”
psychologically is another matter.
One of the applications of prajna is for meetings. Meetings are intended for discussion of
matters, and to come up with conclusions and solutions. They serve the purpose of collective decision
making and allow sharing of ideas and concerns from different stakeholders. In these years I have attended many meetings
in different occasions. I must admit
that I have learnt a lot through these meetings. There are always new ideas and new angles of
vision to the same matter from different stakeholders. There are people who can analyze matters in a
very logical manner. There are ingenious
ideas that I can never think of. However,
meetings can sometimes (hopefully not always) be boring and counter-productive.
Some are a waste of time and they challenge
your temper and endurance. One would
particularly appreciate a Chinese saying that “those who have not investigated
or looked into the subject matter do not have the right to speak”. It is in these situations that prajna is most useful and important. If the chairperson possesses prajna, he can then see things as they
really are, both for the matters to be discussed and the reasons for the “copremesis”
(a medical term referring to the vomiting of faecal matter) of the attending
members.
For those who are unfortunate attending
the disgusting meetings, prajna can
be useful in seeing the true reasons for “copremesis” and thus time may pass
more quickly. Some intelligent people
with prajna tell me that there are
basically three causes for “copremesis”. The first one is to argue for the sake of
arguing, and to talk for the sake of talking. Some people like arguing and they cannot
accept the fact that there are different opinions. Some people think that meetings are for talking
and sharing all their personal feelings whether related or unrelated to matters
discussed. Yet, many people utter just
for the sake of being recorded in the minutes so that their presence and their
engagement in discussions are recorded.
The second reason is lack of
technique. People with various hidden intentions need to lengthen the meetings,
and if possible, to talk others out of it. However, the lack of technique leads to “copremesis”.
There is no logical analysis or
counter-arguments, but just repeated regurgitation of the prepared materials
(the Human MP3) or the quoting of examples and throwing out of arguments
totally out of scope. The third reason
is exactly the lack of prajna. Some people uphold and insist on foolish
believes and try their best to convince others. They are blind to logic and counter arguments
from other members. This group of people
is relatively more dangerous, as they may lead to heated arguments and even
physical violence. In rare occasions,
they may lead to more drastic actions including demonstrations.
Again, I wish everyone success
in the cultivation of prajna in a new
year.
(Source: HKMA News January 2010)
