Latest news with #Ko
RTHK
3 days ago
- Health
- RTHK
Tech and talent key to future of public hospitals: Ko
Tech and talent key to future of public hospitals: Ko Tony Ko says digital transformation will remain central to tackling rising healthcare demands. Photo: RTHK Outgoing Hospital Authority Chief Executive Tony Ko says new technology and a skilled workforce are key to the future of the public health system, as he reflected on his six years in the job. Ko was speaking to the media ahead of the end of his tenure on July 31, when he will be replaced by former Under Secretary for Health Libby Lee Ko said that advancing healthcare technology -- through initiatives like telehealth, Smart Hospital 2.0 and the clinical management system – was vital to better patient care and clinical service quality. He also said a few large projects were set to come onstream. "We have a few hospital projects already in place now, say the new Kwong Wah Hospital... and we have more projects coming up. We will soon have the new clinical blocks of Queen Mary Hospital and all the other things," he said. Ko said medical personnel had grown by over 10 percent and that more than 300 non-locally trained doctors were now serving in public hospitals. "We noticed that our manpower situation has actually much improved when compared to six years ago. "Not only we have a much lower attrition rate now, but also we are able to attract talent from different parts of the world, from overseas, from the mainland, literally making Hong Kong become an international medical talent hub." Ko, a geriatrician who steered the authority through the Covid outbreak, said Hong Kong has now faced two major pandemics - if the 2003 Sars outbreak is also included - and that that the authority is now well-prepared for any that may occur in future. After over 30 years' experience in the public health system, Ko described his role as fulfilling and rewarding. He said he now aims to pursue further education, possibly in history or music.
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
21-07-2025
- Business
- RTHK
HA to slash costs by $1bn in efficiency drive
HA to slash costs by $1bn in efficiency drive HA Chief Executive Tony Ko (centre) says measures have been taken in various departments to compress costs and reduce staff workload. Photo: RTHK The Hospital Authority (HA) said a series of measures it has undertaken to streamline workflow and its procurement system could translate into savings of HK$1 billion, while patients would benefit through cheaper and a wider choice of medications. In a press briefing, the authority's chief pharmacist William Chui said a cost assessment panel set up to negotiate with pharmaceutical firms has paid dividends. 'We would negotiate the price based on scientific research and advice by medical economists,' he said, adding they would take reference from prices on the mainland. As a result, Chui revealed that seven out of 10 suppliers have agreed to lower drug prices, with an average reduction of 20 percent. HA Chief Executive Tony Ko, meanwhile, gave updates on the use of artificial intelligence tools to enhance efficiency and ease the workload of frontline staff. He pointed to a Smart Antibiotic Stewardship Programme which can automatically identify potentially inappropriate use of antibiotics through protocol-driven algorithm. Officially rolled out in January 2024, Ko said the tool saved time and effort as medics no longer had to comb through different databases to obtain patients' records. 'In the past, before we have this AI initiative, we need the expert colleagues, for example, our infectious disease expert or microbiology expert, to look into the various laboratory results to check the patient's conditions…before you decide whether you need to change antibiotics,' Ko said. 'We developed our own clinical management system for almost 30 years, and all the data are within our systems. Instead of asking people to do it manually, to check whether a certain patient still needed a certain broad-spectrum antibiotic, now it's all in the system and automated.' The HA has also been using automated tools to tackle the large number of medical and discharge reports, with around 100,000 such requests received annually. Ko said 80 percent of these reports can be generated by AI, reducing the time staff typically spent on this task by 40 percent, and their workload by one-third. Every report will be manually verified to ensure accuracy, he added, while complex cases still have to be handled entirely by physicians.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Edmonton's Royal Mayfair Golf Club to host CPKC Women's Open in 2026
EDMONTON – Edmonton's Royal Mayfair Golf Club will host the 2026 CPKC Women's Open. Golf Canada made the announcement on Wednesday morning, setting up next year's national women's championship. Royal Mayfair will hold the only LPGA Tour in Canada Aug. 17-23, 2026. Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., is hosting this year's Women's Open Aug. 18-24. It will be the third time Royal Mayfair has hosted the event and first since LPGA Tour star and three-time Women's Open champion Lydia Ko won in 2013. Ko won back-to-back events as an amateur in 2012 and 2013 and would go on to win her third Canadian title in 2015. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Royal Mayfair also hosted the championship in 2007, an event won by LPGA Tour legend Lorena Ochoa. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Lydia Ko eyes career Grand Slam at Evian Championship, a decade since she became the youngest major winner
New Zealand's one of the greatest golfers, Dame Lydia Ko returns to the Evian Resort Golf Club in France, the site of her first major win a decade ago. In 2015, she made history as the youngest player to win a major on the LPGA Tour , claiming the Evian Championship title at just 18. Now 28, with 23 LPGA titles, three majors, and a Hall of Fame induction behind her, Ko says the event still holds a special place in her heart. 'I would love to win another major,' she told USA Today's Golfweek ahead of this week's championship. 'It would be awesome to win this 10 years later.' The Evian Championship returns from July 10-13 at the historic Evian Resort Golf Club in France. Now a major since 2013, the event will see 132 top players competing for glory. Defending champion Ayaka Furue leads the field. Fans can expect plenty of action and a full slate of betting odds and specials from top sportsbooks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Ko, now a seasoned pro, says the competition has only grown tougher. She notes a greater international presence on the leaderboard, with more top players from Japan, Thailand, and the United States. 'Every player out here is good,' she said. 'Sometimes, the difference is just luck or small details.' Live Events A rollercoaster path After what Ko described as a difficult 2023 season, where she said she 'finished 100th in the Rolex Rankings,' the former world number one bounced back with a win at the HSBC Women's World Championship in March and an Olympic gold in Paris. That momentum led to her long-awaited second major victory at the AIG Women's Open, eight years after her last. 'Golf is crazy,' she said, reflecting on her ups and downs. 'At the start, I was taken to a high, then a little down, and then came the highest of the highs.' The return Known for her calm presence and sharp game, Ko credits her success to consistent effort and precision. 'It's the little things. All those precise moments add up to create excellence,' she said. Having secured her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame last year, Ko now focuses on completing the career grand slam, winning all five majors. 'It's been my biggest goal,' she said. 'If I can win the Women's Open and an Olympic gold, then why not the rest?' 'No matter how I play, this is always going to be a special place for me,' she said. 'But to win again here? That would just top everything.'
