Hong Kong's Healthcare System
Having an increasingly high standard of medical care and a wide availability of English speaking Doctors, Hong Kong has one of the best healthcare systems for expats within Asia.
Neighbouring countries, such as China, depend on Hong Kong for emergency evacuation when medical facilities are not adequately available. Yet Hong Kong is one of the most expensive countries to receive medical treatment worldwide.
Hong Kong currently has 12 private hospitals and more than 50 public hospitals. Expatriates generally tend to choose the city’s private healthcare facilities when receiving treatment, in order to access western standard medical treatment and access to a wide variety of English speaking, internationally trained Doctors. Private healthcare facilities are designed with expatriate patients and their families in mind, with services focusing on occupational health screening programs, allied health services, maternity and pediatric care.
Public hospitals in Hong Kong have adequate standards of medical treatment and staff, however like other public healthcare systems they tend to be overcrowded, have long waiting lists and patients have little to no choice in selecting their Doctor. Expat patients often experience language barriers when using public healthcare facilities as not all medical staff will have the English skills to provide the appropriate level of care.
Hong Kong is listed as one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world. Healthcare costs in Hong Kong have risen dramatically over the last decade due to an increasingly high demand for quality healthcare services, resulting in limited availability of services which in turn have increased the costs considerably for consumers. Due to this, expats living in Hong Kong are strongly encouraged to obtain a Hong Kong medical insurance policy to ensure ease of access to health and medical facilities.
International recognition of Hong Kong's Private Hospitals
All 12 of Hong Kong's private hospitals have been surveyed and accredited by the Trent Accreditation Scheme (TAS). Hong Kong's public hospitals have yet to commit to international accreditation.
The TAS, a United Kingdom non profit organization, maintains the quality of healthcare across the globe by performing accreditation audits of hospitals and medical clinics worldwide. Other international bodies, including the United States’ Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards have issued accreditation to Hong Kong's private hospitals including the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. Hong Kong's private healthcare system is therefore recognised as being on par with the top hospitals in Asia including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
International Hospitals in Hong Kong for Expats
There are a group of international, privately run hospitals located in Hong Kong including the Matilda International Hospital, Cannossa Hospital and the Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital. These hospitals provide a wide range of health services from primary care to emergency treatment; including diagnostic health screening, maternity services and surgery. Patients who require overnight stay select from a general ward of 3 to 6 beds, to a semi private or a private room. Medical costs therefore vary accordingly to the selection of room and type of medical treatment required.
Expats in Hong Kong planning a family have the option of public, private or semi private maternity rooms. An expat patient will likely favour private medical care because of the high treatment standards, good English skills of the staff and level of personal attention. Private hospitals offer state of the art services but are also highly expensive. While some of the costs can be saved by using public facilities for prenatal checkups, most women attend private hospitals to give birth. This is where the medical costs add up. If complications occur, the cost for covering Cesarian procedures and extended hospital stay are highly expensive. As such expats living in Hong Kong, are strongly encouraged to obtain a Hong Kong health insurance plan to ensure ease of access to healthcare and medical services, including maternity services for expats planning a family in Hong Kong.
The table below provides an example of standard medical treatment costs within three of Hong Kong's private hospitals, as well as a general comparison to USA's healthcare system costs. As you can see, the healthcare costs in Hong Kong are comparable to the USA, and in some circumstances more expensive. Please find pricing examples for different treatements below:
GP Consultation
- Matilda: $64 - $102
- Canossa: $115
- Sanatorium: $153
- USA Federal Average: $100
Private Room / 1 day
- Matilda: $761
- Canossa: $328
- Sanatorium: $682
- USA Federal Average: $400
Maternity - Routine 3 day delivery
- Matilda: $8,500
- Canossa: $7,794
- Sanatorium: $7,179
- USA Federal Average: $7,600
A deposit is generally required prior to hospital admission in Hong Kong as well as a letter of guarantee from your insurance company. Expats will be treated immediately in the event of an emergency and will be held liable for medical costs until the letter of guarantee is issued.
Regulation of health services in Hong Kong
The Department of Health in Hong Kong coordinates the regulation of medical bodies and health promotion initiatives in Hong Kong, focusing on infection control, disease prevention, curative and rehabilitative services. Medical bodies include child assessment services, immunisation programs, dental service, forensic pathology service, and registration of healthcare professionals though boards and councils including the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's Department of Health applies strict licensing and professional registration on its medical practitioners and other health personnel through boards and councils including the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong. The Department of Health regulates the licensing of private healthcare facilities and encourages institutions to participate in Government health promotion initiatives. Standards of hospitals and medical facilities are regulated via clinic audits and professional development programs issued by the Professional Development and Quality Assurance of the Department of Health. Doctors educated in Hong Kong complete their training within the school of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong or the Chinese University of Hong Kong which are both based on the British model of medicine. Allied health programs such as Nursing, Dentistry and Physiotherapy are offered in Hong Kong by universities, and private education bodies.
Public Health Issues in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a relatively clean and safe country. Over recent years Hong Kong has increased its efforts to control infectious diseases, following the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003. Compared to a few decades ago, the health standards of Hong Kong's population have improved considerably, mainly due to the city’s progression in socioeconomic status and general hygiene conditions. In Hong Kong, there are currently a total of 47 notifiable infectious diseases. In 2008, the top three most commonly reported infectious diseases were Chickenpox, Tuberculosis and Food Poisoning. The top three leading causes of death in Hong Kong, among both males and females, are Malignant neoplasms, Heart disease, and Pneumonia.
In March 2003, reports of SARS cases were spreading internationally, particularly within Asia including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam. SARS cases were spreading mainly among health care workers who had contact with SARS patients, rather than the general population. Hong Kong’s outbreak began on 12 March when health officials first recognized a cluster of cases of atypical pneumonia in the Prince of Wales Hospital.
On 31st March, 2003 the Hong Kong Department of Health issued an isolation order. The isolation order required residents of Block E of Amoy Garden to remain in their flats until midnight on 9 April. The order was in response to an outbreak of SARS cases among residents of the complex. A few days prior to the isolation order, 22 of 45 SARS cases reported in one day were among residents of the Amoy Garden, which then lead to the isolation order. In April 2003, the World Health Organisation announced in its SARS update that China had been hit the hardest with 806 confirmed SARS cases and 34 deaths. Hong Kong fell shortly behind with 685 SARS cases and 16 deaths. Hong Kong's number of cases were increasing at a higher rate than any other nation worldwide. Later in June 2004, the WHO classified Beijing and Hong Kong as the two most SARS affected areas worldwide.
The SARS outbreak lead Hong Kong to re-evaluate its infection control practices in hospitals, clinics, schools and domestic environments, especially for patients with respiratory tract symptoms.
The WHO recognised Hong Kong's efforts during the SARS outbreaks, using control measures successfully. Hong Kong continues to practice vigilance, particularly during influenza season.
Emergency Services in Hong Kong
Hong Kong experiences dangerous tropical cyclones, typically between the months of July to September. Tropical cyclones occur on average 6 to 7 times a year bringing dangerous high speed winds, torrential rain, and landslides. Warning signals are issued by the Hong Kong Observatory to warn the public of the threat of winds associated with a tropical cyclone. Signals are ranked at 1,3,8, 9 and 10. A signal 1 indicates 'standby' precaution and a warning signal of 10 indicates a hurricane. During tropical cyclones and heavy flooding, expats need to practice high caution. Lose objects need to be secured and during a signal 9 or 10, residents should stay indoors to avoid flying debris. It is therefore important for expats to monitor the media for information relating to severe weather warnings.
Expats in Hong Kong commonly take trips to neighboring countries within Asia. In the event of an accident or serious illness, the adequate level of care may not be available. In rural regions within Asia, medical services are not on par with western standards and private healthcare facilities are virtually non existent. In the event of a serious health problem, expats in Hong Kong may require repatriation or emergency evacuation to a hospital located in Hong Kong or a nearby country that can provide the adequate level of care. The costs involved in covering medical expenses and emergency air evacuation are very expensive and can add up to around US$50,000-$100,000, or even more depending on the circumstances. As such, expats in Hong Kong are strongly encouraged to obtain some form of Hong Kong medical insurance, that includes air transportation services.
Emergency protocols should be adopted by residents during the event of an accident, serious illness or criminal offense. To call an ambulance service, police department, or fire brigade dial 9-9-9.