The aging population in Hong Kong has been placing increasing pressure on public hospitals, leading the Hospital Authority (HA) to explore technological solutions to meet the growing demand. With the public healthcare system facing significant financial burdens, the HA has been actively seeking ways to alleviate its fiscal load. Over the past three years, the HA's expenditure has exceeded HKD 28 billion, highlighting the urgent need for cost-saving measures.
Ko Pak-sing, the outgoing CEO of the HA, emphasized the importance of optimizing public resources and funds. In a recent television program, Ko revealed that the HA has been working on enhancing the efficiency of its operations. One of the strategies involves diversifying the sources of medical supplies, including procuring high-quality medical devices from Mainland China. Ko noted that Mainland Chinese medical instruments are "of very high quality and relatively affordable," and their use has been well-received by healthcare professionals.
The HA has also been leveraging artificial intelligence to assist staff in drafting report drafts and providing clinical recommendations during treatment, which helps improve operational efficiency and reduce financial burdens. This allows medical staff to focus more on patient care.
Regarding the ongoing "Decade Hospital Development Plan," Ko stated that the first phase is well underway, with all projects in progress. The second phase is still in the planning stage. He believes that the long-term hospital construction plans will not be significantly affected by the government's current financial deficit, as building a hospital typically takes 40 to 50 years. However, detailed discussions with the government are still necessary.
In response to recent medical incidents in public hospitals, Ko stressed that Hong Kong's healthcare system is of international standard. He acknowledged that the increasing complexity of treatment methods can sometimes lead to less than ideal outcomes or incidents, which are understandable. The HA is committed to investigating the causes of each incident. Ko also mentioned that the HA is considering incorporating the number of medical incidents into staff performance evaluations and linking performance to salaries. This move aims to emphasize the importance of patient safety and motivate frontline staff.
Legislative Council member for the medical and health sector, Lam Chit-yuen, told that with the maturation of drug and medical device development in Mainland China, many local medical professionals have been using Mainland Chinese products for some time. For example, dental drills from Mainland China are known for their affordability and quality. Lam also pointed out that Hong Kong procures drugs from various countries, including India, where non-patented drugs are significantly cheaper but still of good quality.
Mainland Chinese-developed drugs for metastatic colorectal cancer and COVID-19 vaccines have already been adopted in Hong Kong without raising concerns among patients.
Lam believes that the key factors for public hospitals to consider when procuring Mainland Chinese medical supplies are the quality of treatment, after-sales service, and pricing. He is confident that the operational issues will be minimal, as many Mainland Chinese instruments have international versions.
In conclusion, the HA's strategy to procure high-quality medical supplies from Mainland China is a proactive step towards managing the financial challenges while maintaining high standards of patient care. The integration of advanced technology and a focus on staff performance are expected to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Hong Kong's public healthcare system.