Hong Kong’s Healthcare System Explained

Writer - Nicholas

Editorial Consultant - James

Photography - Nicholas & Ruby

Posted June 30, 2024

Vibrant culture and tall buildings aren't all that Hong Kong is renowned for; the special administrative region is also recognized for its world-class healthcare. Set well above the global average, the city’s healthcare system is known for its high operating efficiency and easy patient access.

Hong Kong is a shining example of how a well-run healthcare system can help its people in a world where access to high-quality treatment may be difficult and expensive. The city's healthcare model defies the often-criticised systems in many Western countries.

An Overview of Hong Kong’s Healthcare System

Hong Kong’s health care system runs on a dual-track model comprised of the public and private sectors. Residents may choose from various healthcare alternatives thanks to this innovative arrangement. This model guarantees that people can get treatment based on their preferences and financial situation.

The foundation of the healthcare system is the public sector, managed by the Hong Kong government. This includes public clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare institutions that provide low-cost services to locals. Offering high-calibre services, these facilities are equipped to address a broad variety of medical requirements, from general care to specialty therapies.

Alongside that, a thriving private healthcare industry operates hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Hong Kong residents can decide between the extremely affordable offerings of government services and private healthcare providers which are considerably more expensive.

Government Subsidization for Healthcare Costs

Hong Kong’s medical services are not only high-quality but also universally available. Regardless of socioeconomic background, the Hong Kong government guarantees that basic medical treatments are inexpensive and available to all citizens through several public healthcare programs and initiatives.

One such program is the Hospital Authority (HA), a statutory entity that provides vital medical services to the citizens of Hong Kong. It is a fundamental component of the city's healthcare system. The HA guarantees coverage in all parts of Hong Kong through its network of hospitals, day hospitals, specialty clinics, general out-patient clinics, Chinese Medicine services, and community outreach programs.

There are about 30,000 beds and over 90,000 employees in 43 public hospitals and institutes, 49 specialty outpatient clinics, and 74 general outpatient clinics spread among 7 hospital clusters that make up the public sector. The HA offers medical treatment, rehabilitation services, and preventative care through its seven clusters, each focused on a certain geographic area.

Furthermore, the government runs the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) program, which gives qualifying residents money to help with basic living needs - including medical bills. This financial safety net guarantees underprivileged communities have access to necessary healthcare treatments without worrying about their finances.

Healthcare Financing

The shared responsibility model that underpins Hong Kong's healthcare finance system involves the government, employers, and people. The government directly finances public healthcare institutions and provides subsidies to qualified patients, accounting for a large amount of healthcare spending.

Meanwhile, companies frequently include extra healthcare benefits in their pay packages for their staff members. A sense of accountability and ownership within the healthcare system is ensured by requiring individuals to pay modest fees for treatments.

Collaborative Ventures

Public-private collaboration generates services for all strata of the socioeconomic ecosphere. While private healthcare in Hong Kong is renowned for providing individualized, high-quality treatment, cohabitation with the public sector encourages diversity and flexibility in healthcare delivery. Both sides adhere to laws that protect patient confidentiality and affordability.

The cohabitation of the public and private sectors encourages innovation and healthy competition in the healthcare industry. It encourages diversity and flexibility in healthcare delivery by enabling residents to select from various providers to match their needs and preferences.

Efficacy and Availability

Strategic placement of medical care facilities across seven geographical districts ensures easy and equitable access to services by a broad cross-section of Hong Kong residents from all walks of life.

Hong Kong’s dedication to hospital infrastructure can be seen in Queen Mary Hospital’s redevelopment, a project to construct a new hospital block that has been ongoing since 2018. The design of the new block and its facilities has functionality at its heart, with large open-space areas connecting related services, such as the Intensive Care Unit and emergency diagnostic facilities.

To improve accessibility, there will be covered link bridges to connect the new block to existing hospital buildings, a rooftop helipad for patients in critical condition, and a new vehicle access point.

Recent improvements to the system have yielded amazing outcomes. Improvements in infrastructure and technology have enhanced diagnostic testing, while labour investments have reduced wait times for consultations. Quick patient turnaround facilitates timely treatments, which improves patient satisfaction and leads to improved health outcomes for all.

Additionally, the administrative structure of the healthcare system in Hong Kong is transparent and easy to understand. With few levels of bureaucracy and effective resource management, patient care is prioritised over administrative burdens. Healthcare practitioners can perform treatments more efficiently and quickly thanks to this simplified approach.

Thanks to these developments, Hong Kong reported a life expectancy of 80.7 years for men and 86.8 years for women in 2022. This important statistic shows how Hong Kong’s population benefits from its healthcare system in terms of lifespan and general well-being.

Achievements in Medical Practice

Hong Kong’s healthcare system has made notable achievements in medicine, greatly advancing healthcare worldwide. Notably, Hong Kong set the standard for liver transplantation procedures, proving its resolve in 1993 by performing the first adult-to-adult live donor liver transplant ever. This discovery established Hong Kong as a pioneer in transplant medicine by showcasing its creativity and proficiency in intricate surgical techniques.

Furthermore, Hong Kong's public and private hospitals also follow strict international guidelines for medical practice. Several institutions have joined with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) for certification to ensure that they satisfy strict quality requirements. This dedication to quality builds confidence between medical staff and patients, enhancing Hong Kong's standing as a center for top-notch healthcare.

Economic Factors and Analogies

Compared to other healthcare markets globally, Hong Kong has several advantages. For example, the United States places a much higher financial burden on the patient, with the average annual premium for individual health coverage costing US$8,951. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the average spending per person on health insurance is just US$122.60.

Hong Kong’s system more heavily depends on public money and government action, lending a huge benefit to patients. As the US system is governed primarily by for-profit private insurance firms and healthcare providers, rising costs of treatment and unexpected medical emergency care can have serious impacts on the personal finances of American patients.

With some of the most costly healthcare in the world, millions of Americans find it difficult to pay for both insurance and medical treatment. The system's intricacy, inefficiency, and lack of universal coverage—which result in glaring gaps and inequalities in health— are widely criticised.

Conversely, Hong Kong offers a universal healthcare system financed primarily through taxation, similarly to Canada and the United Kingdom. The government's critical role in guaranteeing unimpeded access to basic medical services for all citizens leads to better health results for those with fewer resources.

However, the system also has drawbacks, such as the lengthy wait periods for some operations and treatments. Many patients in Hong Kong also struggle with long waiting times, but the city fares a lot better when it comes to emergency care. Waiting times are typically just 1-3 hours here, compared to 22 hours in Canada.

Hong Kong also strives to be efficient about its healthcare spending. The region spends HK$38,670 (US$4,972) per capita, which is significantly less than Canada’s CD$8,740 (US$6,269) per capita and comparable to the UK’s spending of £3,392 (US$4,368.73) per capita.

Furthermore, Hong Kong's focus on primary and preventative care reduces the need for expensive hospital stays and treatments, which ultimately improves efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Early intervention programs and community healthcare efforts also ease the burden on the healthcare system and enhance population-wide health outcomes.

As a result, Hong Kong routinely outperforms comparable countries in several healthcare-related metrics. It has a life expectancy of 84 years, compared to 82.2 years in Canada, 813 years in the UK, and 78.8 years in the US. It also has an infant mortality rate of just 1.6 deaths per 1,000 births, compared to 5.4 in the US, 4.5 in Canada, and 3.8 in the UK.

Obstacles and Prospects for the Future

Despite being praised for being more accessible and reasonably priced than most Western countries, Hong Kong's healthcare system is not without its struggles. The government is moving quickly to enhance healthcare services to better serve the needs of its ageing population, and meet ever-changing standards of care.

The burden on public healthcare resources is one of the most urgent problems, especially when it comes to hospital capacity and waiting lists for specialised care. It will need deliberate investments in technology, workforce development, and infrastructure to address these issues and improve the responsiveness and efficiency of the healthcare system.

Additionally, the value of patient-centred, holistic care in enhancing residents' contentment with their health is becoming increasingly apparent. The promotion of integrated care, chronic illness management, and mental health services will be essential in meeting the people of Hong Kong's changing healthcare demands.

Medical Education and Training

Hong Kong's strong infrastructure for medical education and training is caused by the growth of the city's healthcare system. The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong's Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine are important postsecondary educational establishments that educate the future generation of physicians. These prestigious schools graduate more than 200 medical undergraduates a year, adding new talent and knowledge to the medical industry. Additionally, the aforementioned redevelopment of the Queen Mary Hospital is set to include a modern health sciences centre, which

There has been some concern about Hong Kong’s mass exodus of professionals following the pandemic and political unrest, with 6.1% doctors leaving Hong Kong public hospitals in 2023. However, the government has addressed the situation by recruiting qualified medical professionals from countries like the UK and Australia, which has seen the attrition rate in the sector decline.

Apart from the public Health Authority, another private group supports the development of medical talent in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, an independent organisation with legal jurisdiction to plan, coordinate, and certify specialised training programs, is in charge of supervising postgraduate medical education. However, only hospitals affiliated with the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong can provide specialised training.

A one-year pre-registration internship and four to six years of supervised specialty training are part of a defined curriculum for aspiring experts. The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine administers an exit test or evaluation upon successful completion of the program, which is a requirement for Fellowship in the Academy.

Prominent Australian and British royal colleges, including the Australian and New Zealand College of Anesthetists and the Royal College of Physicians, collaborate with the Academy to administer its exams. This raises the standard of patient care by guaranteeing that medical personnel obtain thorough and demanding training in various specializations.

Conclusion

The healthcare system in Hong Kong is proof of the efficiency of government action in guaranteeing fair access to medical treatment. By utilising a unique blend of public-private partnerships, government subsidies, and an emphasis on accessibility and efficiency, Hong Kong has established a healthcare system that caters to the requirements of its heterogeneous populace.

Hong Kong's healthcare system is built upon affordability, universality, and an emphasis on preventative treatment when compared to other Western systems. Even with an ageing population and growing healthcare expenses as a result, Hong Kong is still able to innovate and modify its healthcare laws to keep things sustainable. This helps the model meet new demands and keep its position as a pioneer in the world of healthcare delivery. Hong Kong's journey towards healthcare excellence stands as a beacon of inspiration amidst the challenges faced by nations grappling with healthcare reform.