Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau (center) chairs the 21st meeting of the Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development in the city on Aug 29, 2022. Permanent Secretary for Health Thomas Chan (second right); Under Secretary for Health Dr Libby Lee (second left); Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam (first left); and Deputy Secretary for Health Eddie Lee also attended the meeting. (PHOTO / INFOMRATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
Hong Kong's health indicators, such as life expectancy, all ranked top in the world at present, but the government must not underestimate the challenges ahead, including an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the city’s health chief said on Monday.
Prof Lo Chung-mau made the statement while presiding over the 21st meeting of the Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development, according to a government press release.
During the meeting, the latest developments of primary healthcare were reviewed and upcoming strategies were discussed, with a view to consolidating and enhancing the primary healthcare system that serves as the cornerstone of the healthcare system.
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We will also continue to formulate a series of policies through legislation and provision of appropriate services and supporting facilities in order to foster and develop the city as a 'Healthy Hong Kong'.
Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health, HKSAR
The secretary for health told the meeting that the government is committed to establishing a primary healthcare system that can boost the overall health conditions and quality of life for all citizens.
“In the face of the grave challenges posed by surging demand for healthcare services, we have been reforming our healthcare structure actively in recent years in a bid to shift the culture of treatment-oriented healthcare to prevention-focused, and also strive to develop and enhance primary healthcare,” said Prof Lo.
“We will also continue to formulate a series of policies through legislation and provision of appropriate services and supporting facilities in order to foster and develop the city as a 'Healthy Hong Kong'.”
Under the leadership of the steering committee, the government has completed the formulation of a primary healthcare blueprint and proposed a series of reform measures to further strengthen the city’s primary healthcare services and relieve pressure on the public healthcare system.
Specific policy directions and key areas include establishing a district-based, family-oriented primary healthcare system in the community; strengthening management of primary healthcare services; consolidating primary healthcare resources; reinforcing manpower planning and training of primary healthcare personnel; and enhancing surveillance of diseases and sharing of health records, according to the news release.
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Till date, District Health Centres (DHCs) or DHC Expresses have their services covering 15 districts in the city.
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau (sixth right) speaks during the 21st meeting of the Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development in the city on Aug 29, 2022. (PHOTO / INFOMRATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
The services will be extended to the remaining three districts – Yuen Long, Southern District and Tsuen Wan – in the next few months.
The health chief urged people to make good use of various services provided by DHCs and DHC Expresses by taking a preventive approach to safeguard their own health.