Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme to be extended to Foshan in July, with new service points in Zhongshan and Guangzhou
The Government announced today (July 7) that the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme will be further extended to four additional service points this month to accept eligible Hong Kong elderly persons to use Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHCVs) to pay for outpatient healthcare services fee at designated departments. The Pilot Scheme will be:
extended to Foshan with two new service points; and
expanded with an additional service point in Zhongshan and Guangzhou respectively.
Details are as follows:
Services launch date |
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) city |
New service point/
Name of medical institution under the Pilot Scheme |
July 9
(Wednesday) |
Zhongshan |
Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ZSHTCM) |
Guangzhou |
Guangdong Clifford Hospital (GDCH) |
July 17
(Thursday) |
Foshan |
The First People's Hospital of Foshan (FPHFS) |
The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (EAHSMU) |
"The Pilot Scheme will be launched at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital for the first time, which will not only bring another breakthrough to the EHCV Scheme but also provide eligible elderly persons with additional choices in healthcare services," said a Government spokesman. With the four additional service points in the above table, the number of service points in the GBA where EHCVs can be used will increase to 15, benefitting more than 1.78 million eligible Hong Kong elderly persons.
EHCVs are applicable for outpatient healthcare services provided by 12 designated departments at the ZSHTCM, including Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Gynecology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Characteristic Clinic, Health Management Center, Psychology Department, Department of Sleep Medicine, Department of Stomatology and Emergency Department.
For GDCH, EHCVs are applicable for outpatient healthcare services provided by 13 designated departments, including Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Gynecology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, Rehabilitation Department, Department of Orthopedics, Department of Ophthalmology, ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) Department, Department of Dentistry, Health Checkup Department, General Medicine Clinic, Emergency Department and Nursing Clinic.
Concerning FPHFS, EHCVs are applicable for outpatient healthcare services provided by 14 designated departments, including Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Department of Gynecology, Department of General Practice, Department of Stomatology, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Health Management Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Emergency Department and Department of Clinical Nutrition.
For EAHSMU, EHCVs are applicable foroutpatient healthcare services provided by 15 designated departments, includingDepartment of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Gynaecology, Department of Dentistry, Department of Chinese Medicine, Department of Health Management, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical Psychology, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of General Practice, Department of Accident and Emergency (A&E), and Department of Nutrition.
The arrangements for shared use of EHCVs between spouses and the EHCV Pilot Reward Scheme under the EHCV Scheme are equally applicable to the above-mentioned four medical institutions under the Pilot Scheme. When an elderly person receives designated primary healthcare outpatient services for health checks, preventive health services, and follow-up/monitoring of long-term conditions at the designated departments, the EHCV spending for that service encounter can be accumulated for the allotment of rewards. Further information and treatment flow are set out in the Annex.
The fees for the healthcare services provided by the pilot medical institutions are denominated in Renminbi. Medical institutions will make EHCV claims for elderly persons, and the EHCV amount deducted in Hong Kong dollars will be calculated according to a monthly updated voucher conversion factor under the EHCV Scheme. The monthly voucher conversion factor under the EHCV Scheme will be displayed at the cashier offices of the medical institutions for reference by the elderly person.
"Elderly persons cannot use EHCVs together with national medical insurance to pay for the fees of the same healthcare service encounter. The scope of using EHCVs on the Mainland is the same as that in Hong Kong, which does not include inpatient services, prepaid healthcare services and day surgery procedures. EHCVs cannot be used solely for the purchase of goods, medication, medical equipment or products, nor can they be redeemed for cash," the spokesperson reminded.
Hong Kong elderly persons should register with eHealth before using EHCVs at any designated service point in the GBA. To facilitate Hong Kong citizens in using electronic health records (eHRs) across the boundary in a secure manner and to enhance the continuity of healthcare services, the "Cross-boundary Health Record" and "Personal Folder" functions of the eHealth mobile application (eHealth App) will be extended to the relevant hospitals starting from the service launch day of the Pilot Scheme (i.e. July 9 and July 17 respectively). In addition, elderly persons can also use the eHealth App to check their EHCV balance and usage record, as well as access at any time important information such as their medications, allergies and adverse drug reactions stored in the eHealth App. If elderly persons wish to use EHCVs at the GBA medical institutions but they have not yet registered with eHealth, the medical institutions will instantly register them for eHealth upon their consent so that they can use EHCVs right away.
If elderly persons suspect that the participating medical institutions have violated the EHCV Scheme rules, they can call the EHCV Scheme hotline (2838 2311) to provide relevant information and details to the Health Care Voucher Division of the Department of Health (DH). All suspected cases of violation of the EHCV Scheme rules will be strictly dealt with by the DH. Furthermore, each GBA medical institution has set up an enquiry and complaint hotline. Elderly persons can also offer their views to the relevant medical institution or file complaints against the medical institutions under the Pilot Scheme to the health authority at the provincial or city level if necessary. Members of the public can visit the following thematic website (www.hcv.gov.hk/en/hcv_gba_pilot_scheme/index.html) for more information.
The Government is actively taking forward the implementation of the Pilot Scheme in the remaining six medical institutions included in the Pilot Scheme. It is expected that the relevant arrangements will be launched gradually in the second half of this year. Together with the two existing service points operated by the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, eligible elderly persons can use EHCV at a total of 21 service points in the GBA cities.
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 4), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
------------------------------
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
-----------------------------------------------------
Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
---------------------------------------------------------
The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
----------------------------------------------------
Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
