Govt to subsidise chronic disease screening
The Health Bureau said it will subsidise people aged 45 or above who are not diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes to undergo screening in the private sector.  The Chief Executive in his Policy Address last year that his government will introduce the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme as part of a plan to switch the focus of the local healthcare system from treatment to the prevention of illnesses.  In a paper submitted to Legco, the government proposed a one-off HK$192 grant for those undergoing chronic illness screening at participating family doctors, so they will only have to pay HK$120. It said those diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes are also expected to pay less for treatment, as officials are planning to subsidise them HK$162 per consultation and HK$103.5 each season for their medication. Alex Lam, chairman of Hong Kong Patients' Voices, said the scheme benefits not only patients, but the entire healthcare system.  "The middle class will tend to make use of this scheme if it is convenient to them. They have to go to work, so they may not have time to take the long line at public hospitals for a short consultation," he told RTHK. "This scheme will help reduce their waiting time. On the other hand, the public sector will have a number of patients leaving the line and that will help relieve the burden on the public sector." Lawmakers will discuss the government’s plan on Friday.