New Central and Western District Health Centre Opens to Enhance Primary Healthcare Services in Hong Kong

Under Secretary for Health officiates at opening ceremony of Central and Western District Health Centre

The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Central and Western District Health Centre (C&W DHC) under the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) today (August 31). She said that the Government has long positioned District Health Centres (DHCs) as the hub of primary healthcare services to co-ordinate community healthcare resources, thereby promoting the mindset of "prevention-oriented, early intervention".

Dr Fan said, "The DHCs, serving as the entry points of the Primary Healthcare Co-Care Network services, provide citizens with a series of standardised and personalised healthcare services. They also co-ordinate family doctor-centred multidisciplinary teams to provide relevant health management and recommendations, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and referrals based on individual needs. Among those, around 260 000 citizens have already participated in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme, while about 50 000 citizens have been arranged for free hepatitis B rapid tests under the Hepatitis B Co-Care Scheme since its launch in February. Going forward, the DHCs will continue to introduce more services covering areas such as elderly health and women's health.

"At present, there are 10 DHCs and eight DHC Expresses (DHCEs) across Hong Kong, comprising a total of over 100 service points, including core centres and satellite centres. They have built a primary healthcare service network which is beginning to take shape in the community. As at the end of June this year, the membership of DHCs/DHCEs across the 18 districts of Hong Kong stood at approximately 600 000.

"The DHCs serve as a key pillar in strengthening primary healthcare. According to the newly released Domestic Health Accounts 2024/25, the primary healthcare expenditure accounts for over 30 per cent of the overall Current Health Expenditure. In the long run, we aspire to raise this proportion to over 35 per cent, or even 40 per cent, with a view to building a sustainable healthcare system capable of addressing the challenges posed by increasing prevalence of chronic diseases."

The C&W DHC is operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. The core centre located on the 7/F and 8/F, 308 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, commenced service in September last year. It is equipped with consultation rooms, an interactive fitness training room, rehabilitation facilities, smart equipment and fitness systems, and more, providing chronic disease management and community rehabilitation services for members. Its multidisciplinary team comprises nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pharmacists, offering various government-subsidised primary healthcare services to the public. In addition, the satellite centre located at the G/F, 100 Belcher's Street, Kennedy Town, also commenced service in December last year.

The core centre is open from 10am to 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10am to 9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. The satellite centre operates from 10am to 8pm from Monday to Friday and Sunday, and is closed on Saturdays and public holidays. Members of the public are welcome to register as DHC members. The DHC staff will arrange for members to undergo health assessments and family doctor pairings, and will further arrange them to join suitable screening programmes as appropriate. Members of the public may call the C&W DHC hotline at 2637 3773, or visit the website for service details of DHCs.

The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau, Dr Pang Fei-chau; the Acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Jackie Leung; the Deputising Director (Strategy and Planning) of the Hospital Authority, Dr Christy Lam; and the Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Mr York Tseng, also attended the opening ceremony today.

The opening ceremony of the Central and Western District Health Centre (C&W DHC) under the Primary Healthcare Commission was held today (August 31). Photo shows a C&W DHC member, Ms Cheung (left), sharing her experience and insights gained from participating in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Central and Western District Health Centre under the Primary Healthcare Commission today (August 31). Photo shows Dr Fan (first row, fifth right); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau, Dr Pang Fei-chau (first row, second right); the Acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Jackie Leung (first row, third right); the Deputising Director (Strategy and Planning) of the Hospital Authority, Dr Christy Lam (first row, fourth left), and other guests at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the Central and Western District Health Centre under the Primary Healthcare Commission was held today (August 31). Photo shows the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (centre); the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau, Dr Pang Fei-chau (second left); the Acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Jackie Leung (third right); the Deputising Director (Strategy and Planning) of the Hospital Authority, Dr Christy Lam (first right), and other guests officiating at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Central and Western District Health Centre under the Primary Healthcare Commission today (August 31). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH clarifies COVID-19 vaccination arrangements

In response to comments from a medical organisation about a lack of stock of COVID-19 vaccines and concerns about low COVID-19 vaccination rates, as well as related media enquiries, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 11) issued the following clarification:

Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases(Joint Scientific Committee) under the CHP, the CHP has continuously encouraged the public to receive the vaccine at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death after being infected by COVID-19. Thanks to the government's and relevant sectors' continuous efforts to promote vaccination, the uptake rate of the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong exceeds 90 per cent, which is considered high internationally.

Regarding COVID-19 booster vaccination, the Joint Scientific Committee recommended them only for high-risk priority groups. Besides, one must receive a vaccine booster at least 180 days after their last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later). Therefore, the vaccination rate is expected to be relatively low. Due to reinfection or vaccination, many people infected with COVID-19 experience milder symptoms and chose not to seek medical care. The Government faces limitations in collecting and reviewing the latest infection figures. As a result, the actual vaccination rates for high-risk priority groups cannot be accurately determined.

The CHP previously announced that the shelf life of the LP.8.1 vaccine for children and adults would expire in mid-July and early September of this year respectively, and that the production and shipment of COVID-19 vaccines containing new ingredients would take time. Starting October 29, the CHP has been providing the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine to childrenaged 6 months to 11 years. The first shipment of the new batch of Spikevax XFG vaccine for individuals aged 12 or above is expected to arrive in Hong Kong next month (December). By then, market supply will resume and private doctors will be able to order from pharmaceutical companies as usual. During this transitional period while awaiting vaccine production and delivery, the absence of COVID-19 vaccinations for adults is normal and temporary.

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination venues, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require complex cold-chain handling and have a limited shelf life after thawing. To provide convenience to the public, minimise vaccine wastage and ensure vaccine efficacy, the Government has set up a total of 75 COVID-19 vaccination venues across Hong Kong, including Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) in public hospitals, private clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres, etc. Given that patients co-infected with seasonal influenza and COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP all along recommends that priority groups receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death.Eligible persons can receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at all current COVID-19 vaccination venues, including SOPCs and FMCs of the concerned public hospitals, as well as private clinics. Therefore, the CHP considers that there is currently no need to further expand the number of COVID-19 vaccination venues.

According to a survey conducted by the medical organisation concerned, nearly 40 per cent of the doctors surveyed do not proactively remind patients to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The CHP expressed concern about this and urged healthcare professionals to proactively remind patients of the importance of receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a timely manner. Even if their clinics do not provide vaccination services, healthcare professionals can still provide patients with information about the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to help safeguard public health.

The CHP will continue to strengthen publicity and education efforts through various online and offline channels to encourage priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible once the COVID-19 vaccines for persons aged 12 or above is available.

For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the CHP's website.

Source: AI-found images