Hongkongers Prioritised For Hospital Services: HA

The Hospital Authority (HA) on Tuesday sought to reassure people that it will prioritise medical services and drugs for Hong Kong residents.

On an RTHK programme, a chief manager of the authority, Larry Lee, said the HA has formulated plans in response to the forthcoming opening of the border, adding that it will limit hospital services for those who do not hold a Hong Kong ID card.

"We will only provide [non-eligible persons] with emergency services, and we will charge them according to our mechanism. They are not allowed to visit our designated clinics and use telecommunication services," he said.

Anders Yuen, chairman of the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff, however, expressed concerns that emergency wards will become even more overcrowded following the resumption of quarantine-free, cross-border travel.

He urged mainland visitors to seek medical help in the private sector if they have any health issues while in Hong Kong.

With fever and pain relief drugs becoming scarce, the HA again said it would ensure a sufficient supply of paracetamol and antivirals.

But Ivan Lin from the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) said a "confidence crisis" in the supply of medicine had led to people stockpiling fever and pain relief pills.

The government should hand out such drugs to low-income families through district health centres, elderly centres or local organisations, he said.