Strategies of Hong Kong's Healthcare System in Aging Population

Abstract

The aging population creates challenges for the healthcare system in Hong Kong. This paper examines the challenges faced and an acceptable delivery system amid Hong Kong's rapidly ageing population. Challenges: The elderly population is expected to increase to 'one in four' in 2033. The elderly inpatient ratio is expected to be 62% in 2029. Aging people highly rely on the public healthcare service, resulting in long waiting queue in popular healthcare service. The healthcare system over-emphasizes curative care. Aging people seek primary care for cure rather than health maintenance. Even though the government provides Elderly Health vouchers, only people aged 70 or above are eligible. Besides, only 16.1% claimed to use the subsidies in preventive care. Strategies: Healthcare policy should emphasize disease prevention and active aging. Primary care with multidisciplinary approach should be implemented to address the holistic care. Integrative Elderly Care Centre should be developed to link up all healthcare providers to promote seamless transfer of elders to different levels of care. Public-private partnership combines resources in the public and private sectors. The public sector can purchase from the private sector some elderly healthcare services in high demand, such as dialysis, to shorten the waiting queue. Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme should offer to the older people aged 65 or above. Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme specified on preventive care and health screening could promote the preventive care. Lifelong financial planning and compulsory social health insurance scheme should be implemented to promote the financial sustainability of health systems.