Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha (with photos)
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To ensure the smooth implementation of relevant arrangements, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in collaboration with the People's Government of Zhuhai Municipality, conducted a drill today to assess the simulated transfer of patients under the cross-boundary ambulance arrangements. The drill was conducted smoothly in general, and it is expected that the Pilot Scheme can be extended to Zhuhai by the end of this year.
In his recent Policy Address, the Chief Executive has proposed to extend the cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements with the governments of Guangdong and Macao in an orderly manner, including two-way transfers and expansion to cover designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha. Following liaison between the HHB and Zhuhai and Nansha, the designated hospitals of the two places have been identified as ZHPH and the Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University respectively. Today's drill mainly aimed at testing the routing of the cross-boundary ambulance between ZHPH and the designated hospital in Hong Kong (i.e. Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)), as well as the immigration arrangements. After departure from ZHPH, the designated Zhuhai cross-boundary ambulance travelled to PMH via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Zhuhai Port and later returned to Zhuhai via the HZMB.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "With the support of various national ministries, the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, officially launched the one-year Pilot Scheme on November 30 last year. Through the concerted efforts of the HKSAR Government and the People's Government of Zhuhai Municipality, today's drill was conducted successfully to streamline the flow of direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer. We will continue to review the effectiveness and operational experience of the Pilot Scheme, with the medical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns, as well as to press ahead with the objective of extending the arrangements in an orderly manner, including implementing two-way transfers and expansion to cover Nansha as set out in the Policy Address."
The overall operation of the Pilot Scheme has been smooth since its implementation. A total of 16 patients were transferred from the designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen and Macao (i.e. the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital and the Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao) to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong. According to professional medical assessment, patients of the above cases have a need for continuous hospitalisation for treatment. Their conditions were relatively stable, but they were unable to return to Hong Kong on their own and were unsuitable for transfer to Hong Kong ambulances via the existing boundary control points.
Ends/Friday, September 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:30
Issued at HKT 18:30
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