'A million more chronic disease patients in 10 years'
Health officials on Saturday said a subsidised diabetes and hypertension screening scheme will help identify chronic diseases early, warning that a million more people could suffer from such illnesses in 10 years' time. Under the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme, those undergoing screening at participating family doctors have to pay a certain amount of co-payment fee. Participants with diabetes or high blood pressure can get up to six subsidised consultations each year. Asked whether six consultations are enough, the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare Pang Fei-chau said the scheme provides another option for patients. "This is a pilot programme. We try to engage the private sector to involve in the public-private partnership, provide them with a lot of subsidies to people to have early diagnosis and early intervention. We hope this programme will lead people to be more aware of their health, and also intervene as early as possible," he said. Pang added that authorities are discussing with the Hospital Authority to come up with an alternative programme for patients who can't afford joining the scheme.  More than 200 family doctors have signed up for the three-year pilot scheme so far.