Latest news with #HospitalAuthority
South China Morning Post
18 hours ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong man, 50, left in coma for days after nurse failed to switch on ventilator
A 50-year-old heart disease patient at Queen Mary Hospital has spent several days in coma after a nurse failed to switch on his ventilator for a few minutes in a suspected medical blunder, the Post has learned. Advertisement A source told the Post that the Hospital Authority should have promptly disclosed the July 21 incident as the severity of the matter was of grave public interest, adding that any delay was unjustifiable. 'The patient's heartbeat had stopped after he was deprived of his oxygen supply for a few minutes as the nurse failed to switch on the ventilator following the completion of mucus suction procedures,' the insider said. 'A deprivation of oxygen is highly likely to result in brain damage. The patient quickly suffered a cardiac arrest, requiring immediate resuscitation ... He still remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit [ICU].' Public hospitals in Hong Kong are required to report serious medical incidents to the head office within 24 hours, according to Hospital Authority policy. Advertisement While the information is reported internally, some incidents may also be disclosed publicly, depending on factors such as severity, public health impact, improvement measures and the need to maintain public trust.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Cheaper drugs, revamped fees are healthy steps for Hong Kong
The accessible and affordable world-class public health system Hong Kong enjoys – and expects – comes at an ever-increasing price, amid an ageing society and the rising costs of medical and pharmaceutical advances. A revamp of the fee structure from next year, to recover more of the spiralling costs to the government's budget, was inevitable. Rightly, it is subject to measures to safeguard access for the most vulnerable members of society. It is good, therefore, to learn the government is going on the front foot in negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to get the best deals for many of the drugs that public patients need and the best value for the massive public investment in healthcare. As a result, patients can soon expect to pay about 20 per cent less for some drugs. Hospital Authority chief executive Dr Tony Ko Pat-sing anticipates savings to public funds of at least HK$1 billion (US$127 million) from measures including drug price reductions and expansion of sources of supplies. This is thanks in large part to a greater emphasis on a thorough procurement process. The Hospital Authority's chief pharmacist, William Chui Chun-ming, says when hospital drugs are reasonably priced, the authority can use the money saved to buy more new drugs or extend the range in stock. So far, he says, 70 per cent of drug makers, mostly from foreign countries, are willing to give discounts of an average of 20 per cent. The authority's negotiators used as a reference drug prices offered under the mainland's medical insurance system, which are generally lower due to the bargaining power of bulk procurement for a huge population. Beijing said last year that this had saved patients more than 880 billion yuan (US$123 billion). The potential for cost-effective optimisation of access to the latest pharmaceutical drugs will be enhanced by Hong Kong's aspiration to become an international medical and innovation hub, including a recognised clinical drug-trial centre. Chui said the authority would also monitor drugs in phase three clinical trials and approach developers for access to data with a view to adoption in public hospitals soon.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong leader praises rescuers, Kai Tak Sports Park team in civil servant awards
Hong Kong's leader has praised civil servants sent to earthquake-stricken Myanmar and a team that led drills before the opening of the city's largest piece of sports infrastructure for amplifying the government's commitment to 'continuous improvement and fearlessness in facing challenges'. John Lee Ka-chiu presented the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance to the groups in a ceremony on Wednesday. It was the first time two teams had received the honour in the same year since the award's establishment in 2023. 'I have changed the government culture to establish a result-oriented government,' the chief executive said at the event. 'I want leadership to take the initiative and allow all civil servant colleagues to fully utilise their strengths.' The high-level award recognises civil servants for meritorious work. The Hong Kong search and rescue team that was sent to Mandalay, Myanmar, in March this year comprised members of the Fire Services Department, Security Bureau, Immigration Department and Hospital Authority.
HKFP
21-07-2025
- Health
- HKFP
Hong Kong's Hospital Authority negotiates lower prices for medication as part of cost-cutting measures
Hong Kong's Hospital Authority has negotiated lower prices for medication following discussions with pharmaceutical firms, as part of cost-cutting measures aimed at optimising resources. Hospital Authority chief executive Tony Ko said on Wednesday that, of the pharmaceutical firms it had spoken with – most of which make drugs for cancer and chronic conditions – around 70 per cent agreed to lower prices. The average price cut was about 20 per cent. The Hospital Authority is also planning to rely more on generic drugs instead of brand-name medication, Ko said, citing expiring patents on some drugs paving the way for other manufacturers. William Chui, the Hospital Authority's chief pharmacist, said that market competition could lower prices across the board. 'Whether it's generic drugs manufactured in India, Western countries or mainland China, the original manufacturers will follow by reducing their prices,' Chui said in Cantonese. Last year, the Hospital Authority established a 'Cost Assessment Panel' to negotiate costs with pharmaceutical firms. In March, the Health Bureau said it had reduced procurement costs for some drugs for colon cancer and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, a type of rare blood disorder. The Hospital Authority will continue to promote the 'diversification of drug supply so as to provide patients with safe, efficacious and cost-effective drugs,' the bureau added. On Wednesday, Chui said authorities had taken reference from drug prices offered under mainland China's medical insurance system while negotiating costs. The Hospital Authority is also looking to purchase medical equipment from mainland China, he said. Ko added on Wednesday that the Hospital Authority has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to draft medical reports since March. Around 80 per cent of reports can be processed by AI, he said, helping save about 40 per cent of the time staff spend handling paperwork. Lowered drug costs at public hospitals come as the city is set to raise fees for services such as non-critical Accident and Emergency (A&E) room visits. The hike is part of a reform that Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau called 'belated and necessary,' saying that the current public healthcare system, which is heavily subsidised by the government, is not sustainable. Under the new plan, patients classified as 'urgent,' 'semi-urgent,' or 'non-urgent' will have to pay HK$400 for A&E services. The current fee has been HK$180 since 2017. Patients classified as 'critical,' referring to those who should receive immediate medical attention and those classified as 'emergency,' which should be attended to within 15 minutes, will be treated for free.
RTHK
20-07-2025
- Climate
- RTHK
Wipha starts to move away from Hong Kong
Wipha starts to move away from Hong Kong The Observatory said the Hurricane Signal No.10 would remain until at least 3 pm, when it would consider issuing the No. 8 signal. Photo: RTHK The Observatory said the Hurricane Signal No. 10 is expected to remain in force until at least 3pm on Sunday, as Typhoon Wipha starts to move away from Hong Kong. It said it would then consider issuing the Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 depending on local winds. "Wipha has started to depart from Hong Kong, but its associated hurricane force winds are still affecting the southwestern part of the territory," it said. "Members of the public should stay on high alert, stay where they are sheltered and beware of destructive winds." So far, there have been no reports of flooding or landslides but the Hospital Authority said seven males and seven females have sought medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency. As of noon, the Government's 1823 Call Centre and the Fire Services Department said they had received a total of 240 reports of fallen trees. Earlier, the Home Affairs Department opened 34 temporary shelters with over 200 people seeking refuge. The last time the Observatory issued a Hurricane Signal No. 10 was the Super Typhoon Saola in September 2023, which lasted for more than 7 hours.
