HKU Shenzhen Hospital Secretary Advocates for Improved Transport Links to Enhance Cross-border Healthcare

On January 15th, during the third session of the 14th Guangdong Provincial People's Congress in Guangzhou, Xu Xiaoping, Secretary of the Party Committee of the HKU Shenzhen Hospital, submitted a proposal to enhance the integration of cross-border healthcare services and accelerate the development of a Healthy Bay Area.

Cross-border Healthcare

In 2024, the total number of visits by Hong Kong residents seeking medical attention in Shenzhen exceeded one million, marking a growth of over 30% year-over-year. Among these, 16% were outpatient visits at HKU (Shenzhen) Hospital, with Hong Kong patients accounting for 11% of inpatients. Xu highlighted during an interview with "Hong Kong 01" that the increasing number of Hong Kong residents seeking medical care in Shenzhen reflects their growing trust in the city's healthcare services. He expressed the hope that Shenzhen authorities would enhance transport connections between the border and hospitals, suggesting opening direct bus services from Shenzhen Bay Port to HKU Shenzhen Hospital to facilitate healthcare access for Hong Kong residents.

Xu also advocated for expanding the "Hong Kong-Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy. Implemented in 2021, this policy marked its first success on April 6th of that year when the first medicines and medical devices, such as "anti-D immunoglobulin injection" and "magnetically controlled expandable titanium rods," reached HKU Shenzhen Hospital, benefiting Bay Area patients.

Cross-border Healthcare

With regard to this policy, Xu noted that currently, two medical devices and three medicines, along with one medical device, are payable via Shenzhen's "Huiminbao" insurance. He suggested including more products, such as medicines for rare diseases, in basic or major illness insurance to benefit more patients. As of February this year, the policy expanded to 19 medical institutions, including several major public hospitals.

Of particular interest is the newly inaugurated cross-border ambulance transfer service, which launched recently. The first patient successfully transferred from HKU Shenzhen Hospital to Tuen Mun Hospital in Hong Kong in January, taking less than an hour, with medical professionals accompanying throughout. The transfer cost was 4,990 RMB (approximately 5,297 HKD). Questions have been raised about the reasonableness of these fees and the standards used to set them. In response, Xu stated that the pricing is based on cost and has been approved by relevant departments, including the Shenzhen Medical Insurance Bureau. He expressed hope for smooth implementation of cross-border support plans, facilitating seamless travel for Hong Kong residents seeking medical care in both regions.

Cross-border Healthcare

Additionally, Xu called on the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission and Medical Insurance Bureau to support Shenzhen's efforts to pilot international medical services, allowing for the reform of international healthcare management and pricing mechanisms. He also emphasized the need for legal and regulatory alignment among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This includes allowing international individuals to serve as directors and key personnel of non-profit organizations, relaxing entry conditions for Hong Kong and Macao healthcare services, and supporting the establishment of wholly foreign-owned or joint venture medical institutions in areas like Qianhai with direct practice registration.

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