Hospital Authority appeals to community service organisations and public not to abuse services of Accident and Emergency Departments and Family Medicine Clinics for medical fee waiver applications
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to a media report citing a community service organisation that a citizen who did not have a follow-up appointment at public hospitals was unable to apply for medical fee waivers, the Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (February 1) indicated that the HA has been proactively assisting eligible citizens in obtaining medical fee waivers before accessing public healthcare services. The HA is now accepting applications for medical fee waivers from patients with scheduled appointments within two months. Citizens with scheduled appointments beyond two months or without any appointments do not need to apply prematurely at this stage.
The spokesperson emphasised, "The HA has repeatedly explained these arrangements to the media and relevant organisations in recent times. The HA deeply regrets that these messages have not been fully understood. We call on all sectors to work together in supporting vulnerable groups in our community.
In fact, the case cited in the news report demonstrates that when citizens have financial difficulties and require public healthcare services, they can obtain approval for medical fee waivers on the same day even for next-day clinic appointments. The application process is neither complicated nor difficult."
The spokesperson reiterated that citizens with financial difficulties who do not have scheduled public healthcare services do not need to rush to apply for medical fee waivers, and should not make unnecessary appointments solely for the purpose of obtaining medical fee waivers. Citizens should only apply when they have genuine medical needs and have secured appointments with public healthcare services.
The HA urges the public to use public resources wisely. People should not make appointments at Family Medicine Clinics or visit Accident and Emergency Departments solely for applying medical fee waivers. These valuable medical resources should be reserved for citizens with genuine medical needs.
Source: AI-found images
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (February 1), the CHP has recorded two new imported cases of chikungunya fever (CF).
Latest case information
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The first case involves a 55-year-old female living in Kowloon City District. Preliminary investigation revealed that she visited the Seychelles from January 19 to 25. She developed joint pain on January 27, followed by rash on the following day. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital on January 30 and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment.
The second case involves a 55-year-old male living in Central and Western District. Preliminary investigation revealed that he visited the Seychelles alone from January 25 to 28. He developed a fever, joint pain and rash on January 30. He sought medical attention at a private hospital yesterday (January 31) and was subsequently admitted to Queen Mary Hospital for treatment in a mosquito-free environment.
The blood samples of the two patients tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. They are now in stable condition. Each patient has one household contact, one of whom also visited the Seychelles. The household contacts are currently asymptomatic and are under medical surveillance.
Asbothpatients visitedtheSeychelles during the incubation period, the CHP considered that the cases were infected during their travels. The cases are classified as imported. The CHP will report the casestothe relevant health authority. Preliminary investigation revealed the two cases are not epidemiologically linked.
Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases this year, all of which were imported cases. Last year, Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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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 (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Kwai Tsing District Office, Lands Department, Drainage Services Department, and Civil Engineering and Development Department) have been continuously conducting comprehensive mosquito control and environmental remediation work along the trails. 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 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 cases, 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
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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
