Over 110,000 secure waivers within 1 month after Hong Kong public medical fee reform

Since Hong Kong's public medical fee reform began this year, over 110,000 patients have received fee waivers within a month, a significant increase from the previous annual figure of 14,000. Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau stated that roughly 53,000 individuals have already received fee reduction certificates, while about 60,000 were granted conditional waivers pending income and asset verification. The reform aims to ensure that those with genuine financial needs can access public healthcare. However, some lawmakers have raised concerns about the increased financial burden on those ineligible for waivers and the potential for rising costs in the private medical sector following the public sector reform. Authorities will conduct random checks to prevent abuse of medical resources.

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