HK extends Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to GBA

The selection criteria for the scheme include service quality, management experience, and location.

The government has extended the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area (GBA) pilot scheme to include seven medical institutions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA to improve healthcare access for seniors in the region.

Amongst the selected institutions, five offer integrated services, including dental care, whilst the other two are specialized dental facilities. 

In a press conference, Secretary for Health Prof. Lo Chung-mau said the primary goal of the pilot scheme is to facilitate easier access to healthcare facilities for seniors residing or retiring in the GBA.

“Some of the elderly living in Hong Kong may also choose to travel to the Greater Bay Area, especially (to) the nearby Shenzhen city, for healthcare service, in particular the dental service,” said Chung-mau, noting that around 88,000 elderly Hong Kong residents currently live in the GBA. 

The selection criteria considered factors such as service quality, management experience, and location.

No specific key performance indicators have been set yet for the scheme.

The Department of Health is working with the selected institutions to implement the scheme by the third quarter of this year.