Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau (center), joined by Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee (right), introduces the healthcare-related policy initiatives put forward by the new-term government in the Policy Address to medical sector representatives in the city, Dec 6, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
HONG KONG – The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will launch what it termed “Primary Healthcare Blueprint” by the year's end to provide comprehensive, sustainable and people-centric primary healthcare services in the community.
"The government must revamp the healthcare system and promote primary healthcare,” Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau stressed while introducing various healthcare-related policy initiatives in the 2022 Policy Address to the medical sector representatives on Tuesday.
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'The provision of healthcare services is an important pillar of people’s livelihood.
Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health, HKSAR
At the meeting, Prof Lo gave a briefing on the initiatives of the eight healthcare policy areas put forward by the new-term government in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address and listened to medical sector representatives' views, according to a government news release.
The eight policy areas involve primary healthcare, public hospital services, healthcare manpower supply, development of Chinese medicine, mental health, tobacco control, healthcare co-operation with the mainland as well as prevention and control of the epidemic.
Prof Lo pointed out that with the ageing population in Hong Kong and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, there is a growing demand from citizens for public healthcare services which will eventually overburden the public hospitals.
"The provision of healthcare services is an important pillar of people’s livelihood.”
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The government will continue to enhance public healthcare services and ensure sufficient healthcare manpower is available to deliver various healthcare services to members of the public, such that people with illnesses can receive proper treatment, said the health chief.
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau (fourth right) and Under Secretary for Health Dr Libby Lee (third right) meet with representatives of the medical sector, Dec 6, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
"We will put forth targeted measures to strengthen or even increase the supply of healthcare manpower and enhance the training for healthcare professionals, with a view to ensuring the sustainable and effective functioning of the public healthcare system,” he added.