HK's public hospitals charge new fee starting on January 1st
發佈日期: 2026-01-01 21:49
TVB News
Public hospitals are increasing their fees starting on New Year's Day, charging 400 dollars for non-critical patients seeking treatment at the Accident and Emergency department.
The Hospital Authority said initial operations were generally smooth, with some people entering the A and E department at midnight only charged with the previous rate.
Stepping into midnight, Kwong Wah Hospital staff held up signs reminding residents entering the accident and emergency department that the new 400 dollar-fee was effective immediately for non-critical cases.
A woman entered at the last moment with the Hospital Authority leniently charging her the original price of 180 dollars.
She said she was just trying to seek medical help and did not expect the crowd of reporters, adding that she was surprised the hospital did not ask her to pay the new 400 dollar-fee.
Hospital Authority Chief Executive Dr. Libby Lee said health authorities will remain flexible in dealing with patients.
Lee further said most A&E departments have been operating smoothly throughout the day, having received 35,000 applications for a fee waiver so far.
Our estimation is around 1.4 million people are eligible to apply for the waiver.
But to be honest, even if you are eligible, if you are not sick, basically you do not need to apply for the waiver.
For those waiver applications, they have to be Hong Kong patients, they need to seek medical advice or services from our organisation.
She noted that the goal of the fee reform is to ensure that medical resources are more effectively allocated to patients who need them, and hopes that this mechanism will ensure that resources are used for patients living in poverty, in urgent need or are critically ill.
The HA chief executive said she would closely monitor the data to see if the new fees have achieved their goals.
