Advancing GBA Healthcare at the 2025 GBAHA Annual Conference
- Association Secretary
- Mar 22
- 6 min read
Hong Kong, March 19-20, 2025 – The recently concluded 2025 Greater Bay Area Healthcare Association Annual Conference, was an extraordinary gathering dedicated to the future of health insurance innovation and the advancement of policy developments within the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
This dynamic event attracted a diverse range of participants, including policymakers, scholars, and industry leaders from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and beyond. Attendees engaged in fruitful discussions, powerful keynote speeches, and vibrant networking sessions—all centered on exploring innovative strategies to enhance health insurance frameworks and policy solutions within the region.
Among the distinguished guests were Hao Deming, Executive President of the China Association of Non-Public Medical Institutions, and the General Consul of Israel, both of whom delivered compelling opening remarks that underscored the vital role of international collaboration in driving healthcare innovations.
Strategic Opportunities Discussed Across Sectors
The opening session showcased keynotes that set the tone for the conference. Hao Deming emphasized the urgent need for innovative policies designed to facilitate seamless integration of healthcare resources across borders.
Jamie Zuo Jiaming highlighted the vital mission and ongoing initiatives of the Greater Bay Area Healthcare Association.
Liao Xinbo, former Director of the Guangdong Provincial Health Department, spotlighted the necessity of establishing unified standards for medical device access, cross-border medical resource sharing, and the mutual recognition of health insurance practices. He proposed launching pilot projects for cross-border health insurance settlements that could significantly benefit residents throughout the Bay Area.
King Leung, Global President of Invest Hong Kong, elaborated on "Hong Kong’s Innovation Industry Development Policy," reaffirming the government's commitment to empowering health insurance enterprises in the GBA to expand their international presence through financial technologies and enhanced data sharing.
Roundtable Discussions: Addressing Industry Challenges
Theme 1: Innovation in Elderly Care and Healthcare Services in the Greater Bay Area (GBA)
As the population ages in the Greater Bay Area, experts underscored the urgent need for innovation in elderly care and healthcare services to address the diverse needs of this demographic. This theme explored how health insurance models can evolve to provide better support, particularly for seniors who often face unique medical and social challenges.
By combining healthcare services with real estate development, the model aims to create age-friendly communities that can cater to the holistic needs of seniors.
Through fostering cooperation and aligning standards between Hong Kong and Macau, Chan argues that the initiative can lead to a more efficient healthcare delivery system that ensures seniors receive the medications and medical devices they need without unnecessary delays or barriers.
Ultimately, by prioritizing innovation in health insurance models and enhancing collaborative efforts across sectors, the Greater Bay Area can develop a robust healthcare system that meets the needs of its aging population, ensuring that elderly individuals enjoy better health outcomes and a higher quality of life.
Theme 2: Policy Breakthroughs for Cross-Border Healthcare
In today's rapidly evolving healthcare environment, effective policy frameworks are essential for enabling seamless cross-border healthcare services. During the discussions, Sabrina Chan, Senior Executive Director of The Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, underscored the critical need for the effective implementation of the Hong Kong and Macau Drug and Medical Device Access policy. She pointed out that the successful execution of this policy is fundamental for ensuring that both regions can overcome regulatory hurdles that have historically impeded access to vital healthcare products.
Chan stressed the importance of establishing streamlined processes and fostering enhanced communication between regulatory authorities in Hong Kong and Macau. By doing so, the regions can facilitate quicker and more efficient cross-border access to pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This streamlining is particularly significant for elderly patients, who often rely on timely access to necessary medications and medical technology to manage their health conditions effectively. Improving access to these essential products can significantly enhance the quality of care provided to seniors, allowing them to maintain their health and well-being.
During the discussions, participants explored the critical importance of expanding and integrating health insurance frameworks within the context of the "Hong Kong and Macau Drug and Medical Device Access" policy.
This integration is vital for creating a seamless healthcare ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, and insurers. By aligning insurance protocols with regulatory standards for drug and medical device access, the regions can enhance patient care, minimize administrative burdens, and promote better health outcomes.
Overall, the proposed policy breakthroughs discussed during this session signal a pivotal shift toward a more integrated and efficient cross-border healthcare system. By prioritizing collaboration and innovation, the Greater Bay Area can overcome existing barriers and create a robust framework that enhances healthcare delivery, ultimately benefiting all patients, especially the elderly who require specialized care and timely access to essential services.
Theme 3: Fostering Collaboration between Healthcare and Insurance Sectors in the Greater Bay Area (GBA)
The Greater Bay Area (GBA), comprising Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, presents a unique landscape for health insurance, marked by a diverse population and varying healthcare systems. As the region continues to integrate both economically and socially, the health insurance sector faces significant challenges and exciting opportunities, necessitating innovative policies and collaborative efforts among stakeholders.
One of the primary challenges facing health insurance in the GBA is the disparity in coverage and regulations between the different jurisdictions. While Hong Kong boasts a well-established healthcare system with a mix of public and private insurance options, Mainland China, particularly Guangdong province, is undergoing transitions aimed at expanding its health insurance base and improving service delivery. Macau's system, though smaller, also presents its distinct regulatory environment. These disparities can create confusion for residents, especially for those who cross borders for work or leisure, highlighting the need for harmonized health insurance policies that can better address the needs of a mobile population.
Zuo emphasized that such collaboration is essential for developing tailored healthcare services that meet the unique needs of individual patients. By integrating medical services with robust data-sharing capabilities, healthcare providers can gain valuable insights into patient history and preferences. This synergy ultimately allows for a more personalized healthcare experience, where treatments and services are customized to fit the specific circumstances of each patient, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
Building on this dialogue, Chen Shenwei, a policy research expert to navigate these complexities, health insurance providers must adopt innovative models that bridge these gaps. For instance, developing cross-border health insurance products can enable residents to access medical services across the GBA more seamlessly. Such products could offer coverage for treatments received in both public and private facilities in Hong Kong and Guangdong, thereby enhancing the appeal of healthcare in the area and ensuring that patients have access to timely care regardless of their location.
Moreover, leveraging technology can play a pivotal role in transforming health insurance in the GBA. Digital platforms can enhance communication between insurers, healthcare providers, and patients, facilitating the exchange of crucial patient data while maintaining privacy standards. Telemedicine and online consultation services could become key components of health insurance offerings, providing greater accessibility to healthcare professionals for residents across the region.
Another significant opportunity lies in the GBA’s aging population, which is projected to increase the demand for healthcare services substantially in the coming years. Health insurance products tailored to the needs of the elderly could focus on preventive care, chronic disease management, and support services for home-based care. By promoting wellness and enabling early intervention, these products can help manage costs and improve health outcomes in this demographic, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable healthcare systems.
In summary, this theme highlighted the crucial need for collaboration among healthcare and insurance sectors to foster an integrated system that prioritizes patient welfare. By leveraging innovative strategies such as the three-chain integration approach and building frameworks for professional qualification recognition, the Greater Bay Area can pave the way for a healthcare landscape that delivers exceptional, tailored services to its growing population. This collaborative spirit is not just about improving efficiency but ultimately about enhancing the quality of life for all residents in the region.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers, organizers, and attendees whose valuable contributions made this event a resounding success. Your steadfast commitment and insights are the driving forces behind the ongoing evolution of health insurance and healthcare policy advancements in the Greater Bay Area. Together, we can pave the way for a healthier future, propelled by collaboration and innovation that brings about substantial improvements in healthcare delivery and insurance practices across the region.