Hong Kong's New Chinese Medicine Hospital Launches Outpatient Services Amid High Public Demand

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video)

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) commenced operations in phases today (December 11), offering outpatient and day-patient services, fully launching six specialised Chinese medicine (CM) services, along with 12 special disease programmes in the first year. In response to the keen public demand for government-subsidised outpatient services, the hospital will increase the quota for the members of the public to book government-subsidised general outpatient services in the first month after the service commencement.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The service commencement of CMHHK marks a significant milestone in the development of CM in our city, signifying the progression of Hong Kong's CM to go beyond primary healthcare and play a part in secondary and tertiary healthcare services. I look forward to CMHHK providing more comprehensive CM services to the members of the public, and developing a 'Hong Kong model' for pure CM, services with CM playing the predominant role and integrated Chinese-Western medicine (ICWM) services. It will also dovetail with the upcoming CM Development Blueprint to be announced by the Government, to foster a high-quality and high-standard development of CM on all fronts, thereby providing powerful impetus for CM to go global."

CMHHK began accepting appointments last month. In view of the overwhelming response, the quota for government-subsidised general outpatient services in the first month is already full. Professor Lo said, "In response to the keen public demand, we have requested the hospital to increase the quota for government-subsidised general outpatient services in the first month after service commencement for members of the public to make appointments. Specifically, the service quota in the first 10 days of operation has been doubled. For the remaining days of the first month upon service commencement, the service quota has also been increased by an additional 30 per cent starting today. Apart from subsidised outpatient services, patients may also make appointments for the non-subsidised outpatient clinic, where they can select their preferred CM practitioners."

Today, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CMHHK Operator, Mr Wong Kwai-huen, accompanied by the Hospital Chief Executive of CMHHK, Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, inspected the hospital's first day of operation which was generally smooth.

In the first year, the hospital will provide outpatient and day-patient services and fully launch six specialised CM services, namely Internal Medicine in CM, External Medicine in CM, Gynaecology in CM, Paediatrics in CM, Orthopaedics and Traumatology in CM, and Acupuncture and Moxibustion in CM. It will also provide 12 special disease programmes, including those for elderly degenerative diseases and stroke rehabilitation. The services of CMHHK will feature four highlights: (i) adhering to the principle of "pursuing specialty in specialised CM services and exceling in special disease programmes", the hospital will pool talent, experience, knowledge and techniques to focus on the development of key areas where CM has distinct advantages, offering effective treatment outcomes for members of the public; (ii) actively develop an ICWM service model, combining the strengths of both Chinese and Western medicines to formulate treatment plans, supplemented by multidisciplinary healthcare teams, thereby providing comprehensive and optimal clinical support for patients; (iii) bring together an elite team of Hong Kong, Mainland, and international CM expert teams across multiple disciplines at the hospital to participate in short-term services, training, and research, leveraging their outstanding capabilities to provide services to members of the public; and (iv) uphold the traditional CM philosophy of "treatment based on pattern differentiation". Through providing wholehearted services together with professional and precise analysis, the hospital will tailor-make personalised care services for patients to resolve their health problems.To demonstrate the Government's commitment to public health, 65 per cent of the hospital's total service volume are Government-subsidised services. The hospital will also provide market-oriented services to foster positive interaction between the hospital and private market. Members of the public can visit the hospital website (www.cmhhk.org.hk) for more information on the hospital services.

Apart from the hospital hotline (3121 3121) and website, members of the public can also make appointments through the newly launched "CMHHK Mobile App". After downloading the app and completing registration with basic personal information, users can make appointments at either the government-subsidised outpatient clinic or the non-subsidised outpatient clinic. For those seeking appointments at the Specialised Clinic, patients can first make an appointment at the General Clinic for an initial assessment, or they can directly upload a referral letter from a registered CM practitioner, medical practitioner, or other registered healthcare professional (such as nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals).

In addition, CMHHK will provide medical fee waivers to the victims of the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire. All residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers) and all individuals injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority will receive full fee waivers at CMHHK until December 31, 2026, covering all government-subsidised services, including General Clinic, Specialised Clinic, Allied Health Services, day-patient services, as well as special Western medicine diagnostic procedures and medications (discharge medication collection). Relevant individuals can identify themselves to the hospital and provide basic personal information (including name, identity card number and residential address) during consultations to facilitate the arrangement.

To facilitate public access, CMHHK will provide free shuttle services between Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station, LOHAS Park Station, and the hospital's main entrance. The Transport Department has co-ordinated with public transport operators to enhance services to the hospital area, including a new minibus route 116H connecting Tseung Kwan O Station and the hospital's main entrance. Also, eight franchised bus routes and one green minibus route will add stops on Pak Shing Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O, with the hospital accessible after a short walk from these stops.

CMHHK will hold open days on January 17 and 18, 2026, for the public to better understand the hospital's services and mode of operation. Reservations can be made online through the hospital's websitestarting today.

Located at 1 Pak Shing Kok Road in Tseung Kwan O, CMHHK adopts a public-private partnership model with its construction fully funded by the Government. Hong Kong Baptist University was selected as the contractor through tendering procedures in 2021 and it subsequently incorporated a company limited by guarantee in the same year in accordance with the service deed to act as the operator for managing, operating, and maintaining the hospital.

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.

In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases