The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, welcomed the healthcare service-related measures included in "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 17). The measures will facilitate the sustainable development of public healthcare services and the provision of services that meet patients' needs.

     The HA will fully dovetail with the Government's policy direction to comprehensively implement various policy measures for public healthcare fees and charges reform. A dedicated team will be established to support patients who need to apply for various medical fee waivers and subsidies. Protection for patients with critical illnesses or emergency conditions will be strengthened, while providing citizens with more service options to address the various challenges that an ageing population brings to the healthcare system. Mr Fan said, "The HA will uphold the principle of increasing protection and reducing waste, ensuring medical care for poor, acute, serious and critical patients, promoting sustainable development of public healthcare services, and further improving the quality of public healthcare services."

     Furthermore, with strong government support, the HA will continue to optimise acute stroke services, including building stroke centres according to national accreditation standards, establishing green channels to reduce the time from hospital admission to treatment for acute stroke patients, improving treatment effectiveness and survival rates. The HA will also gradually advance the establishment of Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centres at suitable hospitals according to national accreditation standards, providing one-stop treatment and support services for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the HA will establish a dedicated team to adopt strategic procurement approaches, actively introducing suitable new drugs and innovative medical devices to increase treatment options for patients and enhance service quality.

     The HA will continue to deepen AI applications, enhance services in diagnostic pathology, and implement measures to improve ophthalmology services. It will also strengthen support for cancer patients, including increasing genetic and genomic testing capabilities, Specialist Out-patient Clinics, radiotherapy, day chemotherapy, and cancer surgery service capacities. Furthermore, the HA will increase the overall bed capacity and operating theatre sessions to further enhance various patient services.

     The HA will continue to adhere to the patient-centred principle to enhance the patient experience. A more convenient, comfortable and safe consultation experience will be provided for the elderly, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, to ensure services are delivered with a more human touch.

     Mr Fan sincerely thanks the Government for its continuous support of public healthcare services. The HA will co-ordinate with the Government to deepen public healthcare reform work and implement governance reform to enhance the safety, quality, and efficiency of public healthcare services.

Ends/Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:55

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