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

Online pre-registration for public observation for fourth round of evidential hearings of Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po:

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po announced today (April 21) that the fourth round of evidential hearings, comprising three hearings, would be held during May 6 to May 8. Members of the public may pre-register for selected hearings under this round that they wish to observe via the online system from 10am on April 23 to 10am on April 26.

The Committee will hear evidence in the evidential hearings on matters in accordance with its terms of reference. The Committee aims to clarify the relevant facts through oral evidence, written submissions, and other forms of evidence presented by witnesses. This will provide an important basis for the preparation of its report and recommendations.

The schedule for the fourth round of three evidential hearings is as follows:

Date

1.

May 6 (Wednesday)

2.

May 7 (Thursday)

3.

May 8 (Friday)

The evidential hearings will be conducted in Cantonese from 10am to 1pm and from 2.15pm to 4.30pm at the Multi-purpose Hall, 3/F, City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central. Simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English will be provided in the City Gallery.

City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central, Photo source: reference image

In the fourth round of evidential hearings, the Committee will continue to receive oral evidence from witnesses. The Committee will release the list of exact witnesses who will be giving evidence at each date of hearing on its website (www.ic-wangfukcourtfire.gov.hk/eng/timetable.html) nearer the time.

Some seats for the hearings will be reserved for the involved parties, and some seats will be open to the public to observe the proceedings. To allow more members of the public to attend the hearings, the proceedings will be broadcast simultaneously in transmission areas set up on the ground floor of the City Gallery and in the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library. Arrangements will be made for some members of the public to observe the hearings in these two areas. A total of about 360 seats will be available for public observation in the main venue and the two transmission areas. About half of the seats will be set aside for residents of Wang Fuk Court on a priority basis. Separate arrangements will be made for the media.

To avoid members of the public queuing outside the venue for a long time, and to allow those who wish to observe the hearings to have certainty of whether seats have been secured before the day of the hearings, for the fourth round of hearings, individuals (including Wang Fuk Court residents) are required to pre-register online (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ic-hearing/en/) from 10am on April 23 to 10am on April 26. Registrants should select on the online registration form the dates they wish to observe (one or more sessions can be selected) and submit the duly completed form. The Secretariat of the Committee will allocate seats on a first-come, first-served basis according to the system's record of the time that the pre-registration forms are received.

Successful registrants will receive a "Confirmation of Successful Registration" for the fourth round of hearings issued by the Secretariat of the Committee by April 30. An SMS notification will be sent from the sender name "#IC-hearing". If an email address is also provided during pre-registration, an email notification will be sent from hearing@ic-wangfukcourtfire.gov.hk. Pre-registration will be considered unsuccessful for those who have not received a notification by that date. Each person can only pre-register for each day of hearing once. Duplicate registrations will not be processed.

According to the current plan, more hearings will be held. Relevant details (including the specific dates of the hearings and the pre-registration arrangements for public observation) will be announced separately.

The Chief Executive established the Committee to review the causes of the fire at Wang Fuk Court and related issues, and to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The Committee formally commenced its work on December 19, 2025, and the evidential hearings on March 19 to receive oral evidence from witnesses.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post