Over 200,000 Join Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme; New Network Launched for Primary Healthcare

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today (March 13). He announced that the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) had achieved the target of having over 200 000 participants earlier than expected and would be regularised. Meanwhile, the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) launched the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network (Co-care Network) today.

Professor Lo said, "The CDCC Pilot Scheme has received an enthusiastic response since its launch at the end of 2023. By the end of January this year, the number of participants has exceeded 200 000, nearly 10 months ahead of the original target date. Among the participants who have completed the screenings, about 40 per cent were diagnosed with prediabetes, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), or hyperlipidaemia and have entered the treatment phase, receiving government-subsidised cross-disciplinary follow-up for early management of chronic diseases. According to preliminary analysis conducted by a local university research team, the CDCC Pilot Scheme has performed well in terms of health benefits and cost-effectiveness, with participants showing overall improvements in their health conditions. The data shows that after joining the scheme for 12 months, the average glycated haemoglobin level of DM patients dropped from 7.8 per cent to 6.7 per cent; while the average systolic blood pressure of HT patients decreased from 150 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) to 135mmHg, reflecting the positive impact of sustained health management and professional support on disease control. Based on a modelled scenario of 200 000 participants, it was expected that the scheme could prevent approximately 9 000 cases of cardiovascular disease and 11 000 deaths, gaining approximately 54 000 quality-adjusted life years and saving $2.7 billion in health expenditure.

"To address the challenges posed by an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the Health Bureau (HHB) announced today that the CDCC Pilot Scheme will be regularised and be renamed the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme (CDCC Scheme). The Co-care Network, launched simultaneously today, will introduce evidence-based, life-course-oriented preventive measures, as well as a framework for regular screening and management of high-risk diseases. The services under the Co-care Network will be determined by citizens' individual health conditions and risks, thereby implementing the 'peopleoriented' primary healthcare principle and bringing about a paradigm shift."

Established under the institutional framework of the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, the Cocare Network integrates and enhances primary healthcare services provided by the Government through expanding the scope of diseases covered, strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration, and improving community healthcare support and auxiliary services. Apart from including screening and treatment of the "three highs" under the current CDCC Scheme, and hepatitis B screening and treatment services, the Co-care Network will gradually expand to cover more chronic diseases, allowing people of different ages and risk groups to receive full-cycle health management in the community. The Co-care Network will also strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration and enhance relevant assistance and support to further optimise its services.

The first phase of development of the Co-care Network will span five years with a target participation of around 700 000 persons. Eligible citizens who register as members of the District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses (collectively referred to as DHCs) and agree to join eHealth can join services under the Co-care Network according to their health conditions and risks. Moreover, the HHB will continue to invite suitable patients currently attending the Family Medicine Clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA), and also participants in the General Outpatient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme that is scheduled to conclude in 2028, to join the services under the Co-care Network in a gradual manner.

As the entry points of the Co-care Network's services, the DHCs provide citizens with a series of standardised and personalised healthcare services, making their role as a hub of vital importance. At present, DHCs across all 18 districts in Hong Kong have over 100 service points. As of the end of January this year, the cumulative number of DHC members has reached more than 520 000, representing an increase of about 45 per cent over one year compared with the same period in 2025.

The Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre (YTM DHC), operated by the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, commenced services in late October last year and is supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists and social workers. Its core centre located at 1047 Canton Road, Mong Kok (the former Mong Kok Market building) was renovated by the Urban Renewal Authority. It features an audiometric cum vision assessment room and a smart rehabilitation zone, providing members with services such as health risk assessments and chronic disease management through application of technology. The three satellite centres located in Prince Edward, Yau Ma Tei and Jordan have also commenced services. For details about the YTM DHC, please visit the relevant webpage (www.dhc.gov.hk/en/dhc_yau_tsim_mong.html).

The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan; the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Libby Lee; the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau; and the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Edmund Fong, also attended today's event.

The Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network was held today (March 13). Photo shows the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau (left), and Assistant Commissioner for Primary Healthcare Dr Christy Lam (centre) listening to an experience sharing at a media briefing by a citizen whose health conditions improved after participating in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network was held today (March 13). Photo shows the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau (centre), as well as Assistant Commissioners for Primary Healthcare Dr Jenny Lam (left) and Dr Christy Lam (right) at a media briefing on the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre (YTM DHC) cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today (March 13). Photo shows Professor Lo (fourth right) tasting low-sugar food at the Healthy Diet Education Room of the YMT DHC. Also present are the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (third right), and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre (YTM DHC) cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today (March 13). Photo shows Professor Lo (first right) chatting with a member at the YMT DHC. Also present is the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre (YTM DHC) cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today (March 13). Photo shows Professor Lo (third left) listening to the briefing by the staff of the YTM DHC on a member conducting balance training. Also present are the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (sixth left); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau (seventh left); and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (fourth left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today (March 13). Photo shows Professor Lo (fifth left); the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (fifth right); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau (second right); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (third left); and other guests celebrating that the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme has achieved the target early of having over 200 000 participants for screening. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today (March 13). Photo shows Professor Lo (centre); the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (third right); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau (first right); the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Edmund Fong (second left); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (second right); and other guests at the launch ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre (YTM DHC) cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network was held today (March 13). Photo shows the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (centre); together with the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (fourth right); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau (second right); the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Edmund Fong (first right); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (third right), and other guests officiating at the opening ceremony of the YTM DHC. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, delivers a speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network today (March 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns foreign media organisation for misleading international society and whitewashing Lai Chee-ying's offenses

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

A spokesman for the Legislative Council ("LegCo") today (May 1) strongly condemned the release of a so-called press freedom index by a foreign media organisation and presentation of a so-called award to the national security offender Lai Chee-ying to sugarcoat his criminal acts, and smear the press freedom and rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"). LegCo strongly condemns and firmly opposes all untrue comments that defame the human rights and rule of law in the HKSAR.

The Legislative Council, Photo source: reference image

LegCo's spokesman stressed, "Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The Hong Kong National Security Law ("HKNSL") and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance ("SNSO") clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Facts speak louder than the words. Since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, Hong Kong society as a whole has thrived and returned to rationality and safety."

The National Security Law, Photo source: AP News

LegCo's spokesman emphasised, "Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and the evidence is irrefutable. During the trial, a vast amount of evidence testified that for years, under the guise of journalism, democracy, and freedom, Lai Chee-ying utilised media platforms as political tools to incite hatred and commit acts that harmed both the country and Hong Kong. This included using media platforms to call for foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. The court conducted a rigorous, fair, just and open trial lasting 156 days. The reasons for the verdict, spanning 855 pages, have been fully disclosed for public inspection; they set out in detail the judges' rigorous analysis of legal principles and evidence, and clearly explain the reasons for finding Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies guilty. The judgment also pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction is well-reasoned and sound, fully demonstrating that the court makes rulings strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference."

Lai Chee-ying, Photo source: AP News

LegCo's spokesman said, "As emphasised by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,Mr Xia Baolong,in his speech on this year's National Security Education Day, Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity, profoundly demonstrates that there is no development without security, and without security, everything is out of the question. Only by holding the bottom line of security can we achieve development and win the future."

LegCo's spokesman reiterated, "LegCo will continue to firmly fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, support the SAR Government's administration in accordance with the law, uphold the rule of law and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. LegCo urges the international community to recognise the facts and immediately stop making any groundless, fact-distorting, misleading and malicious attacks against Hong Kong."