Explainer | Are Hongkongers paying too little for healthcare? Breaking down the costs

Hong Kong authorities have been assessing whether to increase fees to help combat the abuse of services in a public healthcare system that has been plagued by long waiting times and staff shortages.

Residents currently enjoy a high subsidy rate provided by the government and pay no more than about HK$200 (US$26) per day or attendance for various public healthcare services.

The Post breaks down the costs of medical services and why the government wants to adjust them.

1. What are the fees?

Accident and emergency (A&E) units charge HK$180 per visit.

Those seeing a doctor at general outpatient clinics only need to pay a HK$50 fee, which includes the cost of drugs.

Patients seeing specialists at clinics must pay HK$135 for a first attendance, which drops to just HK$80 for each follow-up consultation. Medications are charged separately, at a cost of HK$15 for a 16-week supply.

A spot in an acute general bed requires a HK$75 admission fee, with an additional HK$120 for each day in hospital.

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