The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has never slacked off its efforts in prevention of the Severe Acute Respiration Syndrome (SARS) with "software and hardware" for SARS prevention and cure being ready, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Chui Sai On said on Friday.

After an inspection of local hospitals and ports, Chui told Xinhua that the Macao health department considers the government's anti-SARS preparation work is up to the mustard.

Chui said that after several meetings on reviewing the preparation work for preventing and curing SARS for "the second phase", the health department deems its work qualified for the latest standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Chui said that though the preparation which is being done in SAR is better than last year, something of more important is that every resident should pay more attention to the healthy way of living.

(Xinhua News Agency January 3, 2004)