WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1991
GOVT CONSCIOUS OF NEED TO CONTROL MEDICAL SERVICES COST
MRS WELFARE,
ELIZABETH
THE RISE IN THE COST OF MEDICAL SERVICES IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER INFLATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OF
TECHNOLOGY THE COST
MEDICAL MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT WITH ADVANCES IN AND RISING PUBLIC ASPIRATIONS FOR MORE AND BETTER SERVICES, WAS ESCALATING THE WORLD OVER AND HONG KONG WAS NO EXCEPTION.
MUN-KA AT THE то REPLYING
A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO
TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID:
COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID: "WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED CONTAIN COST AND TO MAXIMISE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BEARING IN MIND THAT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURK ON
PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICES IS PAID FOR FROM THE IS TO THAT
SAY SHOULDERED BY THE PUBLIC CHARGES OR THROUGH GENERAL TAXATION THAT IS, OF THE SAME PURSE."
EITHER FROM
A MAJOR STEP IN THIS DIRECTION IS THE
THE OBJECTIVE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY,
PURSE:
AND THROUGH FEES DIFFERENT POCKETS
OF ESTABLISHMENT
IS TO RESOURCES
THE IMPROVE AND TO
BEHIND WHICH
OF UTILISATION COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN THE BETTER ENHANCE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY THROUGH HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT REFORMS.
FROM THE COMMUNITY HEALTH POINT OF VIEW, MRS WONG SAID, MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY AND WELL.
IT IS
19 AND IN THIS LIGHT, THE GOVERNMENT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND AMBULATORY CARE SERVICES.
то COMMITTED
IMPROVING
THE EMPHASIS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IS ON HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION OF SELF-CARE.
PREVENTION,
"THE AIM IS TO MAKE FOR A HEALTHY LIFE STYLE AND COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE," SHE SAID.
A HEALTHIER
"FURTHERMORE, IT HAS BEEN OUR PRACTICE TO CONDUCT VALUE-FOR- EFFECTIVENESS MONEY STUDIES AND TO REVIEW, ON AN ON-GOING BASIS, THE AND EFFICIENCY OF SERVICES DELIVERED.
PROCEDURES, ELIMINATED
"THROUGH THESE, WE HAVE STREAMLINED OUTDATED PRACTICES AND INTRODUCED NEW WAYS OF DELIVERING SERVICES.
AS REGARDS HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY WHICH IS LABOUR-INTENSIVE,
PROVIDE LAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS STARTED TO INTRODUCE AUTOMATION AND SUPPORT TO ASSIST PROFESSIONAL STAFF.
CONTINUE THE SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL EXPLORE OTHER POSSIBILITIES AND IMPLEMENT
MEASURES FURTHER
PRACTICABLE SO
THE AS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PATIENT CARE IN COST-EFFECTIVE WAY.
ΤΟ
A8
MOST
TURNING
TO
FEES AND CHARGES AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND MRS WONG SAID THEY ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY.
CLINICS,
/"IN THE