Chief Executive CY Leung's 10-year hospital development plan will help ease the pressure on healthcare services due to Hong Kong's ageing population.
Elaborating on the healthcare measures announced by Mr Leung yesterday in his 2016 Policy Address, Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man told the media today the plan will increase public hospital beds from 27,000 to 32,000 over 10 years, while 94 new operating theatres will be set up.
It will also provide 30 day beds for haemodialysis, three oncology centres, and a neurology centre.
On the development of a Chinese medicine hospital in Tseung Kwan O, Dr Ko said the Government will invite expressions of interest before tendering.
He estimates the hospital will provide up to 400 hospital beds and hopes it can also be used for Chinese medicine training.
Meanwhile, Dr Ko said the Government's new agriculture policies will promote the modernisation and sustainable development of local agriculture.
The Government plans to set up an Agricultural Park of up to 80 hectares through the resumption of private farmland in Kwu Tung South. An engineering feasibility study will be commissioned soon.
There will also be a study to identify “Agriculture Priority Areas”, a study on the use of hydroponics in industrial buildings, and a $500 million Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund will be set up.
