Hong Kong – Secretary for Health briefs representatives of medical sector on healthcare-related policy initiatives in Policy Address (with photo)

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, together with the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, met with the representatives of the medical sector today (December 6), introducing to them the various healthcare-related policy initiatives in “The Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address” and listening to their views.


 


     At the meeting, Professor Lo briefed the representatives of the medical sector on the initiatives of the eight healthcare policy areas put forward by the new term of the Government in the Policy Address. The eight policy areas include 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.

     Professor Lo said, “The provision of healthcare services is an important pillar of people’s livelihood. 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 Government must revamp the healthcare system and promote primary healthcare.  In this regard, we will launch the Primary Healthcare Blueprint within this year to provide comprehensive, sustainable and people-centric primary healthcare services in the community.

     “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.  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.


 


      “I would like to express gratitude to the representatives of the medical sector for their valuable advice in relation to the healthcare-related policy initiatives in the Policy Address. The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with relevant stakeholders and take forward various policy initiatives, so as to make highly effective and quality healthcare services accessible to the citizens.”