HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL —-8 March 1989
香港立法局 ——————一九八九年三月八日
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morale over years of discontent, overworking environment and the frustration created in view of the heavy demand of medical services. Hospital administration, especially those in the subvented sector, has to cope with whatever funding allotted to them despite the fact that the original estimate submitted is severely cut down. I do not think the Medical and Health Department is not aware of the problems facing the medical sector. Perhaps some of the problems have existed over the years, such as manpower, additional equipment and ancillary facilities.
The Medical and Health Services Department has failed to persuade the Finance Branch to deal with the problem positively in respect of allocation of funds in time to defuse the anxiety of our medical staff resulting in lack of trust between the medical staff and the department. With the increasing affluence of Hong Kong, our citizens expect better quality of health service.
During the past year, we have the problems of emigration. One of the greatest attraction for our outflow of talent is that several host countries have a better social welfare system in terms of medical facilities and education. They can provide a greater sense of security for their nationals. The provision of medical and health care is a very expensive service. It requires huge financial commitment. In view of our present tax base, our taxation system and the ever increasing need in other areas of services now provided by the Government such as housing and education, it is doubtful whether we can show such huge financial commitment for the long term. One option that can be looked at is to increase charges for patients, but the return would be comparatively insignificant in terms of the overall expenses. Overall hospital services in Hong Kong are more than 90% subsidized. A hefty increase in charges would face stiff political opposition, create severe hardship for the poor and the needy and would be hardly justified in view of our present economic condition.
If Hong Kong is to be prosperous, it must also offer a sense of security to its citizens. If the Financial Secretary is considering changing and diverting our tax system from direct taxation to indirect taxes such as sales tax, could he not look into the possibility of a national insurance scheme which would provide us with a fair and long-term financial contributory system? Such a scheme would provide us with the fund to expand and improve our health service. After all, we are spending about $5.5 billion yearly on our health service.
譚耀宗議員致辭:
現時香港公立醫院服務水平日見低落已是不爭的事實。這是誰人的責任呢?我想藉以下四分鐘時 間,作一些探討。