Two-way transfer arrangement of Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA officially implemented starting today

Two-way transfer arrangement of Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA officially implemented starting today

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced today (March 27) the official implementation of the two-way transfer arrangement of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao starting today, marking a new phase of the Pilot Scheme.

In his 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced that the HKSAR Government will, in collaboration with the governments of Guangdong and Macao, extend the cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements in an orderly manner, including two-way ambulance transfers. To ensure the smooth implementation of relevant arrangements, subsequent to the first northbound transfer drill with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government on February 10, the HKSAR Government conducted a two-way transfer drill with the governments of Zhuhai and Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) on March 20 to assess the simulated transfer of patients under the cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements.

During the drill, the Zhuhai and Macao ambulances first departed from designated receiving hospitals in Zhuhai and Macao respectively (i.e. Zhuhai People's Hospital (ZHPH) and Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao (CHCSJ)), and travelled to the designated Hong Kong sending hospitals (i.e. Princess Margaret Hospital and Hong Kong Children's Hospital) via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port to pick up the patients, and then transferred the patients back to the aforementioned designated receiving hospitals via the same port for treatment. The testing process was smooth.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "Direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of the important measures of the Outline Development Plan for the GBA. It is also a policy measure as announced by the Chief Executive in his 2023 and 2025 Policy Addresses. The official implementation of two-way transfer of the Pilot Scheme starting today offers a safer, more timely and convenient transfer arrangement for patients in the region with specific needs. This marks a significant milestone of realising high-quality medical collaboration in the GBA and advancing the high-quality development of a 'Healthy Bay Area'.

"The arrangements for direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer in the GBA involve cross-boundary travelling of vehicles, healthcare personnel, drugs and medical devices, and more. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to various national ministries, including the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the National Health Commission and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, for their support and guidance that contributed to the further extension of the Pilot Scheme to two-way transfer arrangements. I would also like to thank various authorities of the governments of the Guangdong Province, Zhuhai Municipality and Shenzhen Municipality as well as the Macao SAR for their close collaboration and concerted efforts, which facilitate the advancement of the Pilot Scheme in a smooth and orderly manner. In addition, I would like to thank a number of HKSAR government departments and organisations, including the Security Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department, the Transport Department, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority, for their full co-operation."

The overall operation of the Pilot Scheme has been smooth since its launch on November 30, 2024. The Pilot Scheme will be extended until November 29 this year. As at late March, 25 patients have been transferred from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Nansha, and Macao (i.e. the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, ZHPH, Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and CHCSJ) to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong for treatment. According to professional medical assessments, the patients concerned have a need for continuous hospitalisation for treatment. Their conditions were relatively stable, but they were unable to cross the boundary on their own and were unsuitable for transfer to an ambulance via the existing boundary control points.

The government departments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will continue to review the effectiveness and operational experiences of the existing transfer arrangements, with the medical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns, as well as to continuously optimise the arrangements of cross-boundary ambulance transfer.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced today (March 27) the official implementation of the two-way transfer arrangement of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macao starting today. Photo shows a Macao cross-boundary ambulance used for a recent two-way transfer drill simulating the transfer of a patient arriving Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced today (March 27) the official implementation of the two-way transfer arrangement of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macao starting today. Photo shows a Macao cross-boundary ambulance used for a recent two-way transfer drill simulating the transfer of a patient to Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced today (March 27) the official implementation of the two-way transfer arrangement of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macao starting today. Photo shows personnel of Hong Kong and Macao who participated in a recent two-way transfer drill simulating the transfer of a patient out of the ward of Hong Kong Children's Hospital to depart for Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced today (March 27) the official implementation of the two-way transfer arrangement of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macao starting today. Photo shows the Senior Advisor (Secretary for Health's Office), Dr Joe Fan (third right), Principal Assistant Secretary for Health Ms Trinky Chan (fourth right), and other personnel of Hong Kong and Zhuhai having a meeting at Zhuhai People's Hospital after a recent two-way transfer drill. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced today (March 27) the official implementation of the two-way transfer arrangement of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macao starting today. Photo shows a Zhuhai cross-boundary ambulance used for simulating the transfer of a patient in a recent two-way transfer drill arriving at Zhuhai People's Hospital. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced today (March 27) the official implementation of the two-way transfer arrangement of the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao starting today. Photo shows a Zhuhai cross-boundary ambulance used for simulating the transfer of a patient in a recent two-way transfer drill departing from Princess Margaret Hospital of Hong Kong to Zhuhai People's Hospital. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

9.1%

1.4

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

6.7%

1.5

Tai Po

Tai Po East

2.2%

2.0

Tai Po West

15.5%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

9.1%

1.4

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

16.8%

1.3

Eastern

Chai Wan

15.4%

1.0

North Point and Quarry Bay

18.9%

1.4

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

20.8%

1.7

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

18.3%

1.4

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.9%

2.3

The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases