Kai Tak Hospital to Open in Phases, Becoming Hong Kong's Largest Healthcare Hub by 2026

Hong Kong's largest public hospital, Kai Tak Hospital, to commence service in phases during second half of 2026

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced today (April 10) that the new acute hospital located in the Kai Tak Development Area is scheduled to commence services in October 2026 in phases. Officially named Kai Tak Hospital (KTH), it will be the largest healthcare hub in terms of bed capacity and total floor area in Hong Kong, with a total gross floor area of 500 000 square metres and 2 400 beds once fully operational.

The HA spokesperson said, "KTH will serve Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong districts, covering a population of more than 1.8 million. As the flagship hospital in the Kowloon Central Cluster, KTH will collaborate with other hospitals in the districts to optimise the overall acute care services in Kowloon, ensuring a more balanced distribution of public healthcare resources and efficient service provision. KTH will also provide clinical support to the adjacent Hong Kong Children's Hospital, strengthening the synergy between the two hospitals, and will become the largest public healthcare hub in Hong Kong."

KTH will commence services in two phases as planned, gradually absorbing clinical services from Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block and the Oncology Block are scheduled to commence services in October 2026. In the first phase, clinical services to be launched include those at the Family Medicine Integrated Centre, and specialist out-patient services of the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Neurosurgery, Family Medicine, and Oncology (for existing patients). In addition, allied health services, the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, and a range of supporting clinical services will also begin simultaneously. Subsequently, the HA will implement the second phase of service arrangements. It is anticipated that in-patient, surgical and Accident and Emergency services will commence in 2028 to ensure smooth service transition, providing the public with higher-quality and more accessible public healthcare services.

KTH comprises five towers, equipped with 37 operating theatres and a range of advanced clinical facilities. It contains various specialist centres, such as the Oncology Centre and Neuroscience Centre to support complex referrals. As a designated Trauma Centre under the HA, it provides 24-hour Accident and Emergency services for all types of emergencies, urgent situations and major incidents. KTH is the first public hospital in Hong Kong equipped with a cyclotron, enabling in-house production of radioactive tracers for diagnostic examinations and oncology, further strengthening its clinical capabilities.

The HA spokesperson added, "The name 'Kai Tak' originates from two local businessmen, Mr Ho Kai and Mr Au Tak, and carries historical significance for the healthcare development in Hong Kong. Mr Ho was a seminal figure of Chinese physician in Western medicine in Hong Kong, co-founding the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese (the forerunner of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong), and actively promoting the establishment of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and Kwong Wah Hospital. His contributions were instrumental in fostering medicine in Hong Kong. The name 'Kai Tak' not only reflects this local heritage but also echoes the hospital's location, symbolising its commitment to patient-centred care and community outreach."

The HA has set up a dedicated team to follow up on the relocation of services to KTH. Staff will personally call patients to inform them of their new appointment details, and notifications will also be sent via text message, post and the HA mobile application "HA Go". In addition, the KTH Hotline at 3506 5188 is also operational to answer patient enquiries.

Hong Kong's largest public hospital, Kai Tak Hospital, to commence service in phases during second half of 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling

Hong Kong Customs shut down an underground cigarette factory in Fanling yesterday (April 9), and seized about 31.92 tons of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and 1.23 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarette. The total estimated market value of all seizure was about $220 million, while the duty potential was about $130 million. Six persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

After in-depth investigation, Customs Officers identified a large metal hut in Ping Che, Fanling. Customs raided the metal hut yesterday morning and found a complete illegal cigarette production line which included machines for producing and packaging illicit cigarettes, a large amount of raw materials used for manufacturing illicit cigarettes and finished illicit cigarette products. Five men and one woman, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested at the scene.

The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the batch of raw materials of the illicit cigarettes and the production line-related machines. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs reminds members of the public that they must be vigilant when purchasing cigarettes. They should patronise reputable merchants or stores and not purchase cigarettes from unknown sources to avoid threats to their health.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), a person shall not, except under and in accordance with a licence, manufacture tobacco. Besides, any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases