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History

A healthcare system originally developed in the early post-war years to cope with Hong Kong's rapidly growing population has expanded greatly in line with the Government's commitment to safeguard public health and to provide medical care and facilities for everyone in Hong Kong. In 1990 the Government set up the independent Hospital Authority and gave it responsibility for managing public hospitals and providing a range of heavily subsidised medical services having regard to the principle that no person should be prevented, through lack of means, from obtaining adequate medical treatment. As at December 2012, there were 41 public hospitals and institutions, 47 specialist out-patient clinics and 74 general out-patient clinics managed by the authority.

A comprehensive system of labour legislation has been developed to provide for employees' benefits, protection and compensation, as well as for their occupational safety and health. In 2011, minimum wage legislation came into force. Free employment services are offered to help both job-seekers and employers. The Employees Retraining Board provides training and retraining courses and services to help the unemployed and those affected by economic restructuring to better meet the demands of the changing labour market.

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