Hong Kong SAR Government Advances Healthcare Reform with Coordinated Development Strategy

Strategic Insights -

Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Prof Lo Chung-mau, recently led a delegation to Singapore to initiate discussions on the city's healthcare reform. The delegation's visit marked a significant step towards implementing a comprehensive healthcare reform framework in Hong Kong. The reform aims to advance primary healthcare development, reform the Hospital Authority's governance and structure, and enhance the quality and efficiency of public healthcare services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hong Kong SAR Government is incorporating the concept of coordinated development of healthcare services, healthcare protection, and drugs into the reform framework to align with national healthcare reform direction.
  • The government is committed to advancing primary healthcare development and reforming the governance and structure of the Hospital Authority to enhance the quality and efficiency of public healthcare services.
  • The government has implemented the '1+' mechanism for approval of new drugs and enhanced the arrangements for introduction and procurement of drugs and medical devices for public healthcare.
  • The Public Healthcare Fees & Charges Reform, jointly announced by the Health Bureau and the Hospital Authority in March this year, aims to restructure subsidisation levels for various services and enhance healthcare protection.
  • The Hong Kong SAR Government plans to establish a one-stop clinical trial collaboration platform through the synergistic collaboration between the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center.
  • The government aims to establish the Real-World Study & Application Centre by the end of this year to provide real-world data support for the approval of drugs and medical devices.
  • The Hong Kong SAR Government plans to establish the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation by the end of 2026 and implement 'primary evaluation' for new drug registration in phases beginning next year.

Statistics:

  • The Hong Kong SAR Government has implemented the '1+' mechanism for approval of new drugs.
  • The government has enhanced the arrangements for introduction and procurement of drugs and medical devices for public healthcare.
  • The Public Healthcare Fees & Charges Reform was jointly announced by the Health Bureau and the Hospital Authority in March this year.
  • The Hong Kong SAR Government plans to establish the Real-World Study & Application Centre by the end of this year.
  • The government plans to establish the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation by the end of 2026.

Sources:

  • Hong Kong SAR Government. Original Press Release: Aug. 12.