Latest news with #HospitalAuthority
South China Morning Post
14 hours 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
3 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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.
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong urged to expand carer support scheme to cover other vulnerable groups
A Hong Kong pilot scheme to identify hidden cases of at-risk carers should be expanded to also cover other low-income families and subdivided flat tenants, a social worker and a district councillor have urged, as a new database to address the issue began operation. The first part of the government initiative began at 9am on Monday and will see the Hospital Authority send daily alerts to the Social Welfare Department if any carers among the 8,000 to 9,000 households listed in the database have been hospitalised. The department would then check on the needs of the elderly or disabled person being cared for and offer them support, such as meal deliveries or respite services. The scheme was set up after a series of tragedies related to the increasing burden placed on carers' shoulders, with most cases involving single older people living alone and elderly couples who took care of each other. Social worker Crystal Yuen Shuk-yan cited concerns about possible time lags and questioned whether the alerts from the authority to the department would be prompt enough. 'If a carer was hospitalised during the day but authorities only receive an alert the next morning, wouldn't it be a long period of time where their dependents do not receive food or care?' she said on a radio programme on Monday.
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong urged to expand carer support scheme for low-income, vulnerable groups
A Hong Kong pilot scheme to identify hidden cases of at-risk carers should be expanded to cover low-income families and subdivided flat tenants with more timely follow-up, a social worker and a district councillor have urged, as a new database to address the issue began operation. The first action of the government's scheme, which began at 9am on Monday, would involve the Hospital Authority sending daily alerts to the Social Welfare Department on whether any carer from the 8,000 to 9,000 households listed in the database had been hospitalised. The department would then follow up on the situation of the elderly or disabled person being cared for and provide services such as meal deliveries or respite services. The scheme was set up after a series of tragedies in the city amid an increasing burden placed on carers' shoulders, with most cases involving single elderly people living alone and elderly couples taking care of each other. Social worker Crystal Yuen Shuk-yan cited concerns about possible time lags and questioned whether the alerts from the Hospital Authority to the Social Welfare Department would be prompt enough. 'If a carer was hospitalised during the day but authorities only receive an alert the next morning, wouldn't it be a long period of time where their dependents do not receive food or care?' she said on a radio show on Monday.
