Hongkongers In GBA To Get Subsidised Medical Care

The Health Bureau on Monday announced a scheme to subsidise medical consultations for eligible Hong Kong citizens living in other parts of the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

In a statement, a spokesman said the arrangement will apply to those seeking treatment at the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), adding that the Legislative Council will be consulted on the matter during a meeting on Wednesday.

The spokesman noted that the pilot scheme will start on May 10, a day after the conclusion of a special support scheme that was launched in November 2020.

Under the special support scheme, patients of the Hospital Authority who were unable to travel between the SAR and the mainland due to quarantine restrictions could attend subsidised follow-up sessions at the HKU-SZH.

“The government will continue to explore various feasible measures to cater for the medical needs of Hong Kong citizens residing in the GBA in a more effective manner,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, dozens of medical workers from Guangdong have arrived in Hong Kong under the GBA Healthcare Talents Exchange Programme.

The 83 doctors, nurses and Chinese medicine practitioners will stay in the SAR for about a year, and will be assigned to work in different hospital clusters.

Hospital Authority chairman Henry Fan called it a milestone in the exchange scheme as he welcomed the mainland healthcare staff to Hong Kong. He said those who chose to work here can speak both Chinese and English, so there shouldn't be major communication problems.

Fan also said he hopes the programme can be expanded in future.