Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today met a Zhongshan Municipal Government delegation led by the Mainland city’s Vice Mayor Ye Hongguang to discuss healthcare policies in Hong Kong, including primary healthcare and elderly healthcare services.

Prof Lo briefed the delegation on Hong Kong’s vision for primary healthcare, as well as measures being taken to cope with the challenges brought by an ageing population and the prevalence of chronic diseases.

The health chief noted that Zhongshan is a popular retirement destination for Hong Kong’s elderly population.

“By stepping up communication with Mainland cities, (this) will help us in providing better support to the healthcare needs of those elderly who reside in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” he said.

Prof Lo also highlighted that the Chief Executive last month stated in his 2023 Policy Address that medical collaboration with the Mainland will be strengthened and that Hong Kong will contribute to the central authorities’ national “Healthy China” strategy.

He commented: “Under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, as well as on the premise of benefiting healthcare development on the Mainland and in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to propel medical innovation and collaboration between the two places, in particular with Mainland cities in the bay area, with a view to enhancing the quality of healthcare services of the two places.”