ENG-2008 — Page 206

154

Chapter 8

Health

No one in Hong Kong is deprived of medical care because of a lack of means. The Government provides a wide range of health services and constantly reviews and upgrades them. Through surveys and international forums, new services and reforms are introduced. Smoking in public. places is banned in Hong Kong as are spitting, littering and other such practices detrimental to public health.

2008 Figures at a Glance

Infant Mortality Rate

Maternal Mortality Ratio

Life Expectancy 2008

2036

(*provisional figures)

1.8* per 1 000 registered live births.

2.5* per 100 000 registered live births

79.4* (Male) 85.5* (Female) 82.7 (Male) 88.3 (Female) projected

Hong Kong has a quality healthcare system supported by a highly professional team of healthcare workers. The infant mortality rate has declined steadily over the past 20 years and was the lowest in the world in 2006. Hong Kong people's life expectancy has improved notably. In 2008, male life expectancy was 79.4* years while female life expectancy was

expectancy was 85.5* years (* provisional figures). The life expectancies of both sexes in Hong Kong were the second highest in the world in 2006.

But Hong Kong's healthcare system comes at a price. According to Hong Kong's Domestic Health Accounts (DHA)1 for 1989-90 to 2004-05, Hong Kong's total health expenditure increased from 3.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1989-90 to 5.2 per cent in 2004-05. As a percentage of total health expenditure, the share of public health spending rose from 40 per cent to 55 per cent in the

1

A series of accounts compiled over the years in accordance with the International Classification for Health Accounts (ICHA) Framework developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to keep track of Hong Kong's health spending and to allow for international comparison.