The Primary Healthcare Commission launched the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today, with a target participation of around 700,000 people during the first phase of development of the Co-care Network over a five-year span.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre & Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today, where he announced that the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) had achieved the target of having over 200,000 participants earlier than expected and would be regularised.

Prof Lo said that the CDCC Pilot Scheme has received an enthusiastic response since its launch at the end of 2023. By the end of January this year, the number of participants has exceeded 200,000, nearly 10 months ahead of the original target date.

Among the participants who have completed the screenings, about 40% were diagnosed with prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or hyperlipidaemia and have entered the treatment phase, receiving government-subsidised cross-disciplinary follow-up for early management of chronic diseases.

Prof Lo noted that to address the challenges posed by an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the Health Bureau announced today that the CDCC Pilot Scheme will be regularised and renamed the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme.

The Co-care Network, launched simultaneously today, will introduce evidence-based, life-course-oriented preventive measures as well as a framework for regular screening and management of high-risk diseases.

The services under the Co-care Network will be determined by citizens' individual health condition and risks, thereby implementing the people‑oriented primary healthcare principle and bringing about a paradigm shift.

Established under the institutional framework of the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, the Co‑care Network integrates and enhances primary healthcare services provided by the Government through expanding the scope of diseases covered, strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration, and improving community healthcare support and auxiliary services.

The Co-care Network will also strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration and enhance relevant assistance and support to further optimise its services.

Eligible citizens who register as members of the District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses (DHCs/DHCEs) and agree to sign up for eHealth can join services under the Co-care Network according to their health condition and risks.

The bureau will also continue to invite suitable patients currently attending the Hospital Authority's Family Medicine Clinics, and participants in the General Outpatient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme that is scheduled to conclude in 2028, to join the services under the Co-care Network in a gradual manner.

As the entry points of the Co-care Network's services, the DHCs provide citizens with a series of standardised and personalised healthcare services, making their role as a hub of vital importance.

At present, DHCs across all 18 districts in Hong Kong have over 100 service points.

The Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre, operated by the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, commenced services in late October last year. Its core centre located at 1047 Canton Road, Mong Kok features an audiometric & vision assessment room, and a smart rehabilitation zone, providing members with services such as health risk assessments and chronic disease management through the application of technology. The three satellite centres are located in Prince Edward, Yau Ma Tei and Jordan.