WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1993
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PATIENTS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE CHOICE
THE OPTIONS LISTED IN THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED CONSULTATION DOCUMENT "TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH" AIM TO GIVE GREATER CHOICE TO INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS
ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG NOTED THAT HONG KONG'S PRESENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OFFERS LITTLE REAL CHOICE AS IT IS SEPARATED INTO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS WITH LITTLE INTERFACE.
"THE PERCEPTION IS THAT YOU EITHER WAIT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE OR PAY FOR PRIVATE SERVICE, SHE SAID.
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WITHIN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THERE IS EFFECTIVELY ONLY ONE CLASS HOSPITAL BEDS AVAILABLE AND EVERYBODY PAYS THE SAME FEE, WHETHER RICH OR POOR.
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"THOSE PATIENTS WHO DESIRE A HIGHER STANDARD OF PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOMMODATION HAVE NO CHOICE,' MRS WONG SAID AT A SYMPOSIUM ON "HEALTH CARE CHOICES FOR HONG KONG".
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF A CO-ORDINATED VOLUNTARY INSURANCE APPROACH, ONE OF THE OPTIONS IN THE DOCUMENT AIMS ΤΟ IMPROVE THE INTERFACE BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR SERVICE PROVIDERS TO GIVE PATIENTS GREATER ABILITY TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO.
THROUGH THE TARGET GROUP APPROACH, ANOTHER OPTION AIMS то CREATE A NEW CLASS OF SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO GIVE PATIENTS A GREATER CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATION.
THROUGH THE PERCENTAGE SUBSIDY APPROACH, A THIRD OPTION AIMS TO IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT FEES SO THAT PATIENTS WILL KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY AND HOW COSTS HAVE BEEN DETERMINED.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THEM TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE ABOUT TREATMENT MODALITY," MRS WONG SAID,
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SHE ADDED THAT THESE OPTIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED INDIVIDUALLY IN DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS AND HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP AFTER RESEARCH INTO HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND REFORMS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
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"WE HAVE TAKEN THE BEST OF THE IDEAS FROM OVERSEAS AND ADAPTED THESE TO SUIT LOCAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS, THE SECRETARY SAID.
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"BUT ULTIMATELY, WE NEED TO HAVE A SYSTEM WHICH MEETS THE TT SHE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS AND WHICH THE COMMUNITY IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT, SAID.
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"THE CHOICE IS THEIRS, MRS WONG STRESSED.
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