Gov’t reviews criteria for approving elderly healthcare voucher scheme

It will soon accept applications from Mainland hospitals.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau declared that they are developing the criteria for approving the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme’s additional participating hospitals on the Mainland.

Lo said they had a good discussion with lawmakers regarding collaboration with the Mainland in the development of healthcare services across the boundary.

“For the Elderly Health Care Voucher, we heard a lot of good suggestions from our legislators regarding the extension of its use in more hospitals on the Mainland, particularly those managed by institutions with experience in the healthcare service and the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme in Hong Kong,” said Lo.

Lo said explained that the criteria will ensure that spots for the use of elderly healthcare vouchers can be linked with future spots for elderly healthcare homes to facilitate the healthcare services for these elderly people across the boundary.

“So there is a lot of discussion, especially when considering whether we can extend the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to Fujian. Fujian is a province with quite a number of elderly (people) retiring in the province,” he added.