XN000022-1990-09-02 — Page 2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1990

- 1 -

HEALTH CARE RESOURCE ALLOCATION TO BE RATIONALISED

ALLOCATION OF HEALTH CARE RESOURCES HAS TO BE RATIONALISED ACHIEVE MAXIMUM COST-EFFECTIVENESS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH WELFARE, MRS. ELIZABETH WONG SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

то

AND

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 13TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF MRS. THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF VOLUNTARY HEALTH SERVICES FUNDS,

TO WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S AIM IN THIS POLICY AREA WAS IMPROVE PATIENT CARE AND TO OPTIMISE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN RECENT DEBATES ON HOW TO FINANCE HEALTH SERVICES

THE "USER-PAY" IN HONG KONG, REFERENCES HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONCEPT, TO MEDICAL INSURANCE AND TO SOME FORM OF CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME.

POLICY

ΤΟ

MEANS

"IN OUR QUEST FOR SOLUTIONS, WE ARE ABOUT TO REVIEW OUR

AND

WAYS CHARGES AND TO CONSIDER

AND ON HOSPITAL FEES ENCOURAGE PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.

"THIS,

GOVERNMENT SHIRKINO

HOWEVER, MUST NOT BE CONSTRUED AS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENT SERVICES OR PUBLIC HEALTH.

BE

"NOT SO, NOT AT ALL. OUR FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE CONTINUES TO

WE REMAIN FIRM PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH SERVICES. IN OUR RESOLVE TO SEE THAT NO ONE WILL BE DENIED ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF LACK OF MEANS," SHE STRESSED.

MRS. WONG

THE

SPARED

THE

OF UPGRADING POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PROCESS QUALITY OF CARE TO MEET RISING EXPECTATIONS, HONG KONG IS NOT

BY THE PROBLEM FACED ESCALATING COSTS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

TERRITORIES

INDUSTRIALISED OTHER

"IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, PUBLIC SERVICES IS CLOSE TO $10 BILLION OR SOME 9.4 PER CENT OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE.

SPENDING

ON

HEALTH

THE

TOTAL

AND "IN THE LIGHT OF COMPETING DEMANDS FOR HOUSING, EDUCATION

FOR PUBLIC SOCIAL WELFARE, HOW DO WE CONTAIN COSTS, MAXIMISE VALUE

AND EVEN MONEY AND LIMIT SPENDING ON HEALTH SERVICES, YET MAINTAIN ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF CARE?

"THIS IS THE CHALLENGE WE MUST RISE TO MEET,

MRS. WONG SAID HONG KONG'S PUBLIC HEALTH HEAVILY SUBSIDISED.

"WE

ARE

PROVIDING

SHE SAID.

SERVICE

HAS

BEEN

EASILY A VIRTUALLY FREE, PRACTICALLY UNIVERSAL PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICE.

ACCESSIBLE

AND

"HOWEVER,

WE

ARE ALL TOO CONSCIOUS

THAT

EXPENDITURE PUBLIC

JUST TO MENTION THE HIGHER

DEVOTED TO THE HEALTH PROGRAMME WILL HAVE TO MOUNT STEADILY MAINTAIN THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE, NOT TO STANDARDS THAT WE ARE AIMING FOR.

/"IN ADDITION,