Government Reaffirms Commitment to Quality Healthcare in Telehealth Amid Consumer Council Study Findings

Government stresses that telehealth services should be provided by qualified healthcare professionals in accordance with professional guidelines

Regarding the Consumer Council's study findings on "Enhancing Governance in Telehealth: Fostering Consumer Trust and Innovation", the Health Bureau today (August 20) stated that to ensure healthcare quality and safety and to safeguard citizen’s health, the Government's long-standing position is that any kind of medical service (including in-person consultations or telehealth services) should be provided by qualified healthcare professionals, whose delivery is governed by the regulatory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions. Such healthcare professionals bear professional responsibility and must act in the interest of patients. Their standard of practice must not be compromised based on the service mode (whether by means of in-person consultations or telehealth services).

Currently, the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong have already promulgated guidelines for the telehealth practice (see Annexes), covering operational issues such as establishing a doctor-patient relationship, evaluating patients' suitability for telehealth services, obtaining informed consent and protecting patient privacy.

Telehealth services allow citizens to access healthcare services without leaving their homes; however, they may not be suitable for all scenarios particularly when patients may need on-site clinical examinations for accurate diagnosis and treatment. This involves the professional judgment of healthcare professionals. The Government will ensure that the boards and councils of various healthcare professions would formulate and update specific telehealth guidelines in a timely manner based on their professional practice and operational needs, with a view to protecting the interests of patients and healthcare professionals. When seeking medical services, members of the public should ascertain that the service provider is a qualified healthcare professional to safeguard their own safety and interests. In case of complaints against the telehealth services provided by healthcare professionals, the public may contact the regulatory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions.

Source: AI-found images

Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 to be held this weekend

The "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026, organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), will be held at the Cyberport Arcade between 11am and 6pm this weekend (January 17 and 18). Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join the event with their dogs.

The Adoption Carnival aims to encourage members of the public who intend to keep pets, to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals, as well as promote responsible pet ownership. The co-organisers of the Carnival include Cheung Chau Animal Care, HK Saving Cat and Dog Association, Lifelong Animal Protection Charity, Paws United Charity, Society for Abandoned Animals, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Team for Animals in Lantau South.

Members of the public can interact with dogs that are up for adoption at the Adoption Carnival. Dog keepers can apply for or renew licenses on site. The Carnival also features veterinary consultation services, a dog playground, a virtual reality gaming experience, game booths, an interactive educational exhibition, pet-themed handicraft workshops, as well as sharing sessions by representatives of animal welfare organisations (AWOs) and guest speakers. Participants are welcome to take part with their dogs. However, dogs entering the venue should be licensed (except for those to be licensed on-site), vaccinated against rabies, and microchipped. All dogs should also be kept under proper control.

The AFCD has been committed to encouraging members of the public who wish to keep pets to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals through the AFCD's partnering AWOs. Upon receiving animals, the AFCD will transfer animals assessed by veterinarians as being in good health and suitable for adoption to partnering AWOs for adoption by members of the public. The AFCD provides free desexing operations for cats, dogs and rabbits adopted through partnering AWOs.

For details of the event, please visit the thematic website of the "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 (www.petswithlove.com.hk).

Source: AI-found images