Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today met World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, who is visiting Hong Kong, to exchange views on public health issues.

Prof Lo pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been strenuously supporting and collaborating with the WHO and the country in tackling public health challenges, striving to safeguard public health and contribute to global public health.

For instance, the Department of Health has been designated as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, as well as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation & Treatment of Tobacco Dependence. The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection has also been designated as a reference laboratory for various communicable diseases.

At the meeting, Prof Lo gave Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala an overview of the highly efficient public healthcare system in Hong Kong.

He said: “The Hospital Authority is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's healthcare system. It serves nearly 90% of Hong Kong’s population of some 7.5 million and provides integrated healthcare services that are heavily subsidised by the Hong Kong SAR Government at nearly 98%, so as to ensure that no citizen is denied appropriate healthcare services due to financial difficulty.

“However, with an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the Hong Kong SAR Government needs to keep abreast of the times and reform the healthcare system, with a view to optimising the use of precious and limited healthcare resources, and ensuring the sustainability of Hong Kong’s healthcare system.”

Prof Lo also introduced Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala to Hong Kong’s strategies in promoting the development of primary healthcare.

The Primary Healthcare Blueprint, released in December 2022, is committed to building a prevention-oriented and community-based healthcare system, as well as providing personalised, coherent and comprehensive healthcare services through initiatives such as the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme and the District Health Centre network.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to promote primary healthcare development on all fronts, with a view to contributing to the WHO’s vision of health equity, Prof Lo stressed.