2024 Policy Address: HK outlines measures for better healthcare

One key area is to strengthen primary healthcare and improve public services.

Hong Kong will undergo a comprehensive review of its healthcare system, with plans to strengthen primary healthcare, improve public services, and reform the private sector for enhanced quality, cost-effectiveness, and price transparency.

In his 2024 Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee announced that the review will also cover redefining the roles of the Hospital Authority, Department of Health, and Primary Healthcare Commission. 

Lee outlined measures to advance primary healthcare, including legislation to strengthen the regulatory framework, the launch of a community pharmacy programme, and a revamp of maternal and child health services. District Health Centre Expresses will also be upgraded.

In public healthcare, the government will prioritise fee structure reviews, centralised procurement, and the formulation of a directory for inherited and rare diseases using the Hong Kong Genome Institute’s genomic data to promote precision medicine.

In parallel, the government will explore legislating for private healthcare price transparency. Healthcare providers will also be required to deposit essential health data into citizens' personal eHealth accounts.

Furthermore, Lee said that the government will establish a platform for developing evidence-based clinical protocols and explore service standards for both the public and private sectors. Quality indicators will also be introduced for both systems.