The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Central and Western District Health Centre (C&W DHC) under the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) today (August 31). She said that the Government has long positioned District Health Centres (DHCs) as the hub of primary healthcare services to co-ordinate community healthcare resources, thereby promoting the mindset of "prevention-oriented, early intervention".

     Dr Fan said, "The DHCs, serving as the entry points of the Primary Healthcare Co-Care Network services, provide citizens with a series of standardised and personalised healthcare services. They also co-ordinate family doctor-centred multidisciplinary teams to provide relevant health management and recommendations, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and referrals based on individual needs. Among those, around 260 000 citizens have already participated in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme, while about 50 000 citizens have been arranged for free hepatitis B rapid tests under the Hepatitis B Co-Care Scheme since its launch in February. Going forward, the DHCs will continue to introduce more services covering areas such as elderly health and women's health.

      "At present, there are 10 DHCs and eight DHC Expresses (DHCEs) across Hong Kong, comprising a total of over 100 service points, including core centres and satellite centres. They have built a primary healthcare service network which is beginning to take shape in the community. As at the end of June this year, the membership of DHCs/DHCEs across the 18 districts of Hong Kong stood at approximately 600 000.

     "The DHCs serve as a key pillar in strengthening primary healthcare. According to the newly released Domestic Health Accounts 2024/25, the primary healthcare expenditure accounts for over 30 per cent of the overall Current Health Expenditure. In the long run, we aspire to raise this proportion to over 35 per cent, or even 40 per cent, with a view to building a sustainable healthcare system capable of addressing the challenges posed by increasing prevalence of chronic diseases."

     The C&W DHC is operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. The core centre located on the 7/F and 8/F, 308 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, commenced service in September last year. It is equipped with consultation rooms, an interactive fitness training room, rehabilitation facilities, smart equipment and fitness systems, and more, providing chronic disease management and community rehabilitation services for members. Its multidisciplinary team comprises nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pharmacists, offering various government-subsidised primary healthcare services to the public. In addition, the satellite centre located at the G/F, 100 Belcher's Street, Kennedy Town, also commenced service in December last year.

     The core centre is open from 10am to 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10am to 9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. The satellite centre operates from 10am to 8pm from Monday to Friday and Sunday, and is closed on Saturdays and public holidays. Members of the public are welcome to register as DHC members. The DHC staff will arrange for members to undergo health assessments and family doctor pairings, and will further arrange them to join suitable screening programmes as appropriate. Members of the public may call the C&W DHC hotline at 2637 3773, or visit the website for service details of DHCs.

     The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau, Dr Pang Fei-chau; the Acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Jackie Leung; the Deputising Director (Strategy and Planning) of the Hospital Authority, Dr Christy Lam; and the Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Mr York Tseng, also attended the opening ceremony today.

Ends/Monday, August 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:55

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