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.

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Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health officiates at Opening Ceremony of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre cum Launch Ceremony of Primary Healthcare Co-care Network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Working groups established under Task Group on New Medical School to strengthen support for implementation of new medical school project

The Government announced today (March 13) that the Task Group on New Medical School has established working groups to strengthen support for the effective implementation of the new medical school project to be set up by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

As the preparatory work for the third medical school enters the implementation stage, the HKUST is steadily advancing the relevant work, including initiating the curriculum accreditation process with the Medical Council of Hong Kong, launching global recruitment of teaching staff, and finalising the design of the medical school complex building on the Clear Water Bay campus.

To enhance support for the work in the implementation stage of the new medical school and ensure the HKUST meets its targets in an orderly manner, the Task Group has established the Working Group on Programme and Faculty Development, the Working Group on Hospital Teaching and Research Support, and the Working Group on Financing and Infrastructure Development, which comprise representatives from relevant policy bureaux and departments, as well as expert advisors. The working groups will be responsible for maintaining close liaison with the HKUST, providing support in their respective areas, monitoring the implementation of the project and reporting progress to the Task Group on a regular basis.

Among them, the Working Group on Financing and Infrastructure Development, chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan, held its first meeting today. At the meeting, the working group received a briefing from representatives of the HKUST on the latest progress regarding funding arrangements and campus development plans of the new medical school, and the detailed arrangement for the next phase of work. The other two working groups will convene their first meetings shortly to offer views on work plans for the new medical school concerning programme development, faculty recruitment, clinical teaching arrangements, and more.

As the work moves from the planning stage to the implementation stage, the Government has reviewed and optimised the composition of the Task Group. Expert advisors with experience in medical education, clinical services, medical school management and planning and development have been invited to join the Task Group, to meet the practical needs of the new medical school in areas such as programme development, clinical training and resource planning, with a view to further strengthen supervision and support, thereby enhancing the overall quality and effectiveness of the work.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all members of the Task Group for their active participation, particularly to the local, the Mainland and overseas experts for their dedicated contributions over the past year or so. Their efforts have laid a solid foundation for the planning work of this new medical school, which is of paramount importance to the long-term development of Hong Kong’s healthcare system.

The Task Group will continue to oversee the overall implementation in a professional, prudent and pragmatic manner. It will closely follow up with the HKUST on key areas such as curriculum accreditation, financial and financing arrangements, staffing, campus development and teaching hospital arrangements, and monitor the implementation progress of various tasks according to the established timetable to ensure the new medical school project advances steadily. The HKUST will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government, setting out the main requirements for the implementation stage, covering funding arrangements, curriculum accreditation, teaching hospital resources, as well as recruitment of teaching staff, and more. The university will also maintain close co-operation with all stakeholders throughout the process to implement various key tasks with concerted efforts.

The new medical school will adopt a complementary development approach with the two existing medical schools, enhancing Hong Kong’s medical education and research capabilities, nurturing more locally trained doctors to maintain professional standards, and supporting the long-term development of the healthcare system. This will further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for medical training, research and innovation.

The latest membership of the Task Group with effect from March 16, 2026 is as follows (see Annex for brief biographies of the newly appointed expert advisors):

Co-Chairmen

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Secretary for Health

Secretary for Education

Alternate Co-Chairmen

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Permanent Secretary for Health / Under Secretary for Health

Permanent Secretary for Education / Under Secretary for Education

Expert advisors

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Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong

President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (or representative)

Professor Nivritti Gajanan Patil

Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu

Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung

Professor Lau Chak-sing*

Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan*

Professor Lyu Aiping*

Professor David Shum Ho-keung*

Dr Pang Yiu-kai*

Official members

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Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) (or representative)

Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (or representative)

Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (or representative)

Director of Health (or representative)

Deputy Secretary for Education (1)

Deputy Secretary for Health 3

Commissioner for Primary Healthcare (or representative)

Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (or representative)

*Newly appointed

Source: AI-found images