Policy Research @ HKIAPS eNewsletter

Last year, the Policy Forum on Building a Sustainable Healthcare System for Hong Kong was successfully held, gathering together local and international academics and politicians to discuss how to build a sustainable healthcare system for Hong Kong. This policy report aims to record the fruitful discussions that were held at the forum and to provide a summary of the issues that were raised by the experts and their shared views. It also aims to provide policy recommendations for the Hong Kong Government.

The report consists of six sections, namely: (1) Introduction, (2) Transcript, (3) Summary of Issues and Shared Views, (4) Policy Recommendations for Building a Sustainable Healthcare System for Hong Kong, (5), Editors’ Notes, and (6) References.

The transcript records the spirited discussions that took place at the forum, including three keynote speeches and four panel sessions. Keynote speaker Dr Hon David T. Y. Lam highlighted three critical elements of sustainable healthcare. Prof. Michael Kidd emphasized that strong primary care is fundamental for building a sustainable health system, while Prof. Eleanor Holroyd shared her research on how to incorporate New Zealand Māori frameworks for sustainability.

In the first panel session, Prof. Albert Lee analysed the role of primary healthcare based on basic medical science. Prof. Kenneth N. K. Fong highlighted the traditional approach to measuring sustainable healthcare. Dr Hon David T. Y. Lam shared his concerns about the role of family doctors and District Health Centres (DHC). Prof. Martin C. S. Wong suggested possible collaborations between scholars and health practitioners. Dr Vincent T. S. Law added that a multi-disciplinary team is needed to educate citizens.

In the second panel session, Dr Thomas Tsang shared his experiences with the Department of Health and Hospital Authority Board, and Dr Daniel C. S. Chiu identified the causes of public health crises. Prof. Zhixiu Lin put forward the view that public health crises can only arise from three factors. Dr William C. W. Wong expressed his expectations for the DHCs run by NGOs, and Dr Victor Zheng shared the public’s view of how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled.

In the third panel session, Prof. Sally Chan shared examples of specific capacity-building strategies. Dr Stephen F. C. Pang shared his concerns about medical human resources. Mr Jimmy Wong suggested empowering the DHCs. Meanwhile, Dr Kam-leung Chan advocated Chinese medicine as an alternative treatment option for primary healthcare, and Dr Joseph W. F. Leung emphasized the importance of pursuing digital health.

In the fourth panel session, Prof. Peter P. Yuen highlighted the inadequacies of the healthcare system. Prof. Albert Lee responded to the issue of a lack of funding by suggesting some new initiatives. Dr Donald K. T. Li mentioned that family doctors would like to have access to a primary care team for support. Finally, Dr Jonathan H. O. Wai talked about budgets in primary healthcare.

Responding to the issues raised at the forum, 24 policy statements, divided into six categories, are recommended for building a sustainable healthcare system for Hong Kong. First, it is suggested that talent and manpower be nurtured to build higher-level human capacities. Second, the provision of facilities, such as community facilities and public and private hospitals, should be reviewed. Third, a financing strategy, such as value-based funding, could be adopted. Fourth, a service delivery model, including a model of a system based on values, evidence, mutual trust, and public engagement, could be constructed. Fifth, primary healthcare should be promoted to improve people’s health. Last, disaster and crisis management could be improved, such as appointing a designated government spokesperson to release reliable information.

This policy report transcribes and studies the presentations and sessions of the Forum that was held last year and provides a summary of issues and shared views. Furthermore, salient recommendations have also been proposed to facilitate the construction of a sustainable healthcare system in Hong Kong. In addition to the forum and policy report, a series of books on “Building a Sustainable Healthcare System for Hong Kong” will be published by the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. We hope to keep you posted.