Visit to Shenzhen: Strengthening Cross Boundary Healthcare Collaboration in the Greater Bay Area
- Association Secretary
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
On February 11, 2026, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health, Prof. Lo Chung-mau, together with Permanent Secretary Mr. Eddie Chan, led a delegation to Shenzhen to further deepen cross-border collaboration with Mainland authorities—particularly Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities—on healthcare and public health coordination.
This visit focused on two key areas: (1) stronger coordination on public health measures at boundary control points, and (2) practical progress on cross-border healthcare services, including electronic health record access and the Elderly Health Care Voucher arrangements.
Meetings with Shenzhen health, port, and border authorities
The delegation first met with officials from the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission and the Shenzhen Port Office, along with representatives from Shenzhen Customs and the Shenzhen General Station of Exit-Entry Border Inspection.
During the meeting, representatives from Hong Kong’s Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office also briefed attendees on Hong Kong’s latest tobacco control directions and policies. Prof. Lo expressed appreciation for Shenzhen’s long-standing support in facilitating cross-border healthcare initiatives, and specifically thanked Shenzhen authorities for supporting Hong Kong’s tobacco control efforts—such as strengthening public messaging at Shenzhen ports to inform travelers heading to Hong Kong about updated tobacco control rules.
Both sides also reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting the concept of “Smoke-free Ports, Fresh GBA,” with the goal of reducing tobacco-related harm and protecting public health.
Site visit to HKU–Shenzhen Hospital: reviewing real-world use of cross-border measures
The delegation then met with Guangdong Provincial Health Commission Deputy Director Mr. Deng Linfeng at The University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital (HKU–SZH) to review how current cross-border healthcare measures are being used in practice. The group also toured the hospital’s Phase II development to better understand future capacity and service expansion.
Expanding eHealth access across the boundary healthcare collaboration
A major highlight of the visit was the continued rollout of eHealth (醫健通) cross-border functions.
Since July 2024, the Health Bureau has piloted eHealth mobile app features at HKU–SZH, including:
Cross-border Health Records, and
Personal Folder, to help Hong Kong residents securely use electronic health records when receiving care across the boundary, based on the principle of patients carrying and managing their own records.
Starting in September 2024, these functions were expanded to 19 medical institutions under the Elderly Health Care Voucher GBA Pilot Scheme.
From January 2026, residents can also authorize three GBA hospitals to directly upload certain radiology reports and images (which are often difficult for individuals to upload themselves) into their personal eHealth accounts—supporting safer record-keeping and more continuous follow-up care.
Elderly Health Care Vouchers: more choice, easier access
During the hospital visit, Prof. Lo also spoke with Hong Kong elderly patients. Many shared that the voucher arrangements are convenient, and that the clinical process and services are detailed and smooth. They also welcomed the expansion of eligible service points to 21 locations across GBA Mainland cities, giving them more options while reducing the need for long travel.
GBAHA perspective
This visit reflects a practical shift from “policy alignment” to “service delivery”—with both sides working on real operational details, from public health coordination at ports to better continuity of care through electronic health records and cross-border service access.
GBAHA will continue monitoring developments and engaging stakeholders to support safe, efficient, and high-quality cross-border healthcare collaboration across the Greater Bay Area.
