In response to media enquiries regarding "Heal Fertility Limited" (the centre), which was previously requested to stop accepting new cases for reproductive technology procedures following a Serious Untoward Event involving a mix-up in embryo biopsy specimens, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (October 5) that in light of the confirmation by the Council on Human Reproductive Technology (Council) that the centre has properly implemented all remedial and improvement measures, and has been approved by the Council to fully resume all 17 treatment services covered by its licence from tomorrow (October 6), the DH lifted its earlier directive suspending the centre from accepting new patients for assisted reproductive technology procedures. Starting tomorrow, the centre will be able to fully resume accepting new patients for assisted reproductive technology procedures.

     Regarding the centre's failure to report the Serious Untoward Events to the DH within 24 hours of identification, as required by the Code of Practice for Day Procedure Centres (Code of Practice) under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633) (the Ordinance), the DH completed an investigation and issued a press release early last month stating that the centre had implemented a series of improvement measures as directed by the DH to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents and to ensure strict compliance in the future with the Code of Practice, which requires reporting any Serious Untoward Events to the DH within 24 hours of identification. If there is non-compliance to the Code of Practice by licensed private healthcare facilities, the DH will take regulatory action according to the risk level posed by the non-compliance to patient safety. 

     The DH once again reminded all private healthcare facilities holding licences from the Council to provide reproductive technology procedures that they must strictly comply with the relevant licensing conditions and the Codes of Practice stipulated by the DH and the Council. The DH will continue to monitor the compliance of licensed private healthcare facilities with the requirements of the Ordinance, the licensing conditions, and the Code of Practice, in order to safeguard public safety.

Ends/Monday, October 5, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:45

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