长者医疗券试点再扩容，香港医卫局局长：不会把责任甩给内地

Core Insights - The Hong Kong government has expanded the "Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme" to include three additional public hospitals in the Greater Bay Area, enhancing access for elderly residents from Hong Kong to medical services in mainland China [1][2] - The pilot scheme has seen a tenfold increase in service points within two years, now covering nine cities in the Greater Bay Area, reflecting significant policy innovation and cross-border medical cooperation [2] - The rising demand for medical services in mainland China is attributed to long waiting times in Hong Kong's public hospitals and high costs in private facilities, prompting many residents to seek treatment across the border [2][3] Summary by Sections Expansion of the Pilot Scheme - The pilot scheme now includes nine cities in the Greater Bay Area, making it easier for over 1.78 million eligible Hong Kong seniors to access medical services [1] - The scheme allows seniors to use their vouchers at designated outpatient services in 21 locations, with a focus on transparency and reduced waiting times [1] Medical Service Demand - The demand for medical services in mainland China has surged due to long waiting times in Hong Kong, with acute cases requiring 3-4 weeks, sub-acute cases 8 weeks to several months, and chronic cases averaging 8 months to over a year [2] - The disparity in medical costs is significant, with procedures in Shenzhen being substantially cheaper than in Hong Kong, such as tooth extraction costing between RMB 200-2000 compared to over HKD 4000 in Hong Kong [3] Quality of Services - Mainland hospitals have improved their facilities and service levels, attracting more Hong Kong patients, with efforts to provide Cantonese-speaking guides and better transportation services [3] - The Hong Kong government emphasizes that the pilot scheme aims to provide more choices for seniors without shifting the responsibility of healthcare from Hong Kong to mainland systems [3][4] Future Cooperation - The Hong Kong government will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot scheme, aiming for mutual benefits and cooperation in healthcare with different cities in the country [4]