A New Era for Traditional Healing: Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital Officially Opens
- Association Secretary
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Hong Kong has officially marked a historic milestone in its medical history. Following a phased service launch that began on December 11, 2025, the city celebrated the official inauguration of its very first Chinese Medicine Hospital (HKCMH) alongside the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) this week.
Located on Pak Shing Kok Road in Tseung Kwan O, this flagship institution represents more than just a new medical facility; it is a strategic bridge connecting ancient wisdom with modern science, aiming to propel Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) onto the global stage.
Here is everything you need to know about this groundbreaking facility, from its unique service model to its pricing and global ambitions.
1. Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital: A Unique Operational Model
The Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital HKCMH operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. While the government built the facility and retains supervisory rights, the operation is entrusted to Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).
The hospital is designed to offer a comprehensive range of services, including outpatient care, day wards, and inpatient clinical services. Crucially, it adopts an Integrated East-West Medicine approach. This means patients benefit from the synergy of traditional TCM methodologies supported by modern Western diagnostic tools like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
2. Services and Specialties
At full capacity, the hospital will provide 400 beds and is expected to serve approximately 400,000 outpatients annually. The clinical focus is divided into six major departments:
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Gynecology
Pediatrics
Orthopedics
Acupuncture
Addressing Critical Health Needs In its first year, the hospital is prioritizing 12 specialized disease programs, targeting areas where TCM has shown significant efficacy, such as infertility, post-natal care, elderly degenerative diseases, and chronic pain management. The administration plans to expand this to 23 specialty areas within five years.
3. Pricing: Accessible and Transparent
One of the hospital's key goals is to remain accessible to the public. Services are split into Government-Subsidized Services (65%) and Market-Oriented Services (35%).
Subsidized Rates (examples):
General Outpatient: HK$180 per visit.
Specialized Outpatient: HK$250 per visit.
Day Ward: HK$450 per session.
Medication: HK$25 per prescription for TCM; HK$5 per item for Western medicine.
Market-Oriented Services: For those seeking specific experts or premium services, the hospital uses a tiered pricing system based on the practitioner's seniority.
Basic Consultation: ~HK$560.
Expert/Consultant: ~HK$790.
First-Year Discounts & Waivers: To encourage the public to experience the new facility, the hospital is offering "experience discounts" (20-30% off) for market-oriented services during the first year. Furthermore, a fee waiver mechanism is in place for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients and eligible elderly residents to ensure no one is left behind.
Innovative "Package" Pricing To improve transparency, the hospital has introduced "Package Charges" and "Bundled Fees." For example, a day-ward package covers the bed, consultation, treatment, and basic diagnostics in one flat fee, preventing "bill shock" from itemized charges.
4. A "Flagship" for Global Standards
During the inauguration ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee emphasized that the HKCMH and the new Testing Institute are "flagship" institutions designed to foster a complete ecosystem—from education to clinical practice to research.
The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) Located nearby, this facility features specialized laboratories, a herbarium, and a "Shennong Materia Medica Garden" with 180 plant species. Its goal is to set international safety and quality standards for Chinese medicine.
5. Collaboration and the "Nanjing Connection"
The launch has attracted attention from mainland Chinese medicine hubs, particularly Nanjing. Experts like Guan Junhua have proposed deepening ties between Nanjing’s rich pharmaceutical heritage and Hong Kong’s international standards.
Key proposals include:
"One Test, Global Pass": Using HK’s advanced testing facilities to certify Mainland herbs (like Cangzhu and Pseudostellaria) for international export, bypassing technical barriers regarding pesticides or heavy metals.
AI & R&D: Establishing a joint laboratory to use AI in developing innovative TCM drugs for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
The "Window" Effect: Using the Hong Kong hospital as a showroom to display Mainland medical technologies and treatments to the world.
The Future
With the opening of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital, the city is not just treating patients; it is validating a medical tradition that is thousands of years old. By combining standardized testing, modern hospital management, and clinical research, Hong Kong is aiming to be the bridge that finally brings Traditional Chinese Medicine into the mainstream global healthcare system.
For appointments and further details, the hospital’s booking system is now open.
