Fee hikes are only half the equation if Hong Kong health reform is to work

2026-02-07 - 01:37

Hong Kong introduced a public hospital fee overhaul at the start of the year in response to long-standing pressures from an ageing population, rising chronic diseases and growing expenditure. Early data from the Hospital Authority suggests the fee increases are having an effect. From January 1-18, semi-urgent and non-urgent cases at accident and emergency (A&E) departments fell by 21.3 per cent year on year, while critical and emergency cases rose slightly, by 7.7 per cent. This indicates...