In the latest financial budget (Healthcare Budget) proposal, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong has emphasized practical and effective measures aimed at promoting economic development and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Recognizing that health is a crucial indicator of happiness, the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government is committed to addressing challenges posed by an aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and advancements in medical technology. The government will continue to reform the healthcare system and work together with the public to build a "Healthy Hong Kong."
For the fiscal year 2025-26, the total budget for medical and health expenditure is set at HKD 141 billion. This funding aims to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage for all citizens while supporting the development of new productivity and driving medical innovation, with a vision to establish Hong Kong as an international hub for medical innovation.
1. Healthcare Budget: International Medical Innovation Hub
The government plans to introduce a timeline for establishing the "Hong Kong Drug and Medical Device Regulatory Center" in the first half of the year. This initiative will include a roadmap for moving towards "first-level approval," along with strategies to support drug and medical device research and development.
Additionally, a "Real-World Research and Application Center" will be set up. Jointly constructed with Shenzhen, this "Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform" is a flagship project aimed at expediting the approval and market entry of new drugs in Hong Kong, the mainland, and abroad.
2. Healthcare Budget: Healthcare Professionals
In recent years, the government has increased the training quota for medical students, which will rise to 650 in the 2025/26 academic year. The public healthcare system will leverage a revised legal framework to recruit healthcare professionals trained outside of Hong Kong.
A "Preparatory Working Group for a New Medical School" has been established, inviting local universities interested in creating a third medical school to submit proposals, with evaluations anticipated to be completed within the year.
Furthermore, the Hospital Authority will implement various talent exchange programs to introduce healthcare professionals from the mainland, particularly the Greater Bay Area, to collaborate with local healthcare personnel, fostering mutual professional development and establishing a regional healthcare talent pool in the long term.
3. Optimizing the Healthcare System
The government and the Hospital Authority are currently reviewing the public healthcare funding structure to enhance the financial sustainability of public medical services and better support critically ill patients and those facing economic difficulties. The results of the review are expected to be announced within the year.
As part of the ongoing "First Hospital Development Plan," the government is progressing with 16 projects involving approximately HKD 190 billion. The SAR government will examine the distribution, scale, and prioritization of projects under the "Second Hospital Development Plan" based on the latest population structure and planning developments in Hong Kong.
Efforts will also be made to strengthen the community healthcare system. This year, the government plans to elevate health stations in the Central and Western District, Eastern District, and Yau Tsim Mong District to regional health centers, thus enhancing primary healthcare services.
Precision in Resource Utilization for Effective Challenge Response
The Food and Health Bureau will focus on service integration and reviewing the sustainability of resource utilization to ensure the healthcare system evolves with the times. Continuous efforts will be made to enhance the quality and safety of medical services, improve overall public health, and leverage Hong Kong's medical advantages to foster advanced biomedical technology research, clinical trials, and applications, deepening cross-border cooperation and joint development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
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