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Health
Organisational Framework
The Food and Health Bureau formulates policies and allocates resources for healthcare services, with the aim of protecting and promoting public health, providing lifelong holistic care to every resident and ensuring no one is denied medical help due to lack of means.
The Department of Health is the government's health adviser and executes policies and statutory functions. It safeguards the community's health through a range of promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.
The Hospital Authority, established under the Hospital Authority Ordinance, provides public hospital and related services. It offers medical treatment and rehabilitation services through hospitals, specialist clinics, general outpatient clinics and outreach services organised into seven clusters that together serve the whole city.
Healthcare Reform
In response to the challenges of an ageing population, the government is undertaking a number of initiatives to enhance the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system:
• Private insurance - The bureau has analysed the views received from the public on a proposed Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme in order to determine the way forward. The scheme aims to protect consumers better and encourage more people to use private health services.
• Manpower planning and professional development - The bureau is conducting a strategic review to meet projected demand for manpower and foster professional development of healthcare professions.
• Development of private services - The bureau is preparing new legislation to revamp the regulatory regime for private healthcare facilities.
Primary Care Services
Primary care is the first step in the healthcare process. It covers a wide range of public services, including health promotion and disease prevention, general outpatient services and special health services for people in specific age groups who do not require immediate hospital attention.
Primary care services are provided mainly by the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). On average, private Western clinics handle about 31 million outpatient visits each year. NGOs operate community clinics, and many also organise health promotion, educational and related activities. Some NGOs provide health assessment services for the elderly and medical check-ups for women.
The Hospital Authority operates 73 general outpatient clinics, including community health centres. These focus on serving the elderly, low-income families and chronic disease patients. The body also runs family medicine specialist clinics as a key component of its primary care
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