Why Are Hongkongers Seeking Medical Treatment in the Mainland? (AI Translation)

【周刊提前读】香港人为何北上就医？ 跨境医疗折射大湾区融合进程

Hong Kong residents are increasingly crossing into Shenzhen for medical services, aided by services like free shuttle buses and Cantonese-speaking guides provided by Shenzhen's Luohu District Chinese Medicine Hospital [para. 1]. Various social media platforms and local Hong Kong influencers share their positive experiences, expanding the journey to Shenzhen beyond shopping and dining to include medical services [para. 2][para. 3]. Medical services in Shenzhen cater to a variety of needs from dental and ophthalmologic care to traditional Chinese medicine, attracting many Hong Kongers [para. 4].

The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZ Hospital), established in collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, is immensely popular among Hong Kong residents. In the year from February 2022 to February 2023, it saw 138,000 visits from Hong Kong residents holding the Home Return Permit; this included 135,000 outpatient visits, which accelerated in the first quarter of this year to over 40,000 visits [para. 5][para. 6].

Despite Hong Kong's healthcare system being one of the best globally, ranked based on life expectancy, many residents opt for cross-border medical services due to quicker access and perceived administrative efficiency in Shenzhen hospitals [para. 7][para. 8][para. 9]. A case in point is Sun Qi, a student who swiftly sought treatment in Shenzhen after suspecting a serious health issue, underscoring the logistical hurdles in Hong Kong's healthcare system [para. 10][para. 11][para. 12].

Sun Qi's experience, involving immediate admission and advanced diagnostic procedures, highlights why some Hong Kongers prefer Shenzhen's approach to emergent and complex medical issues [para. 13][para. 14][para. 15]. Nonetheless, most cross-border medical visits are for non-emergency outpatient services; the HKU-SZ Hospital reported over 40,000 outpatient visits from Hong Kong residents in the first quarter of this year, in contrast to fewer emergency visits and admissions [para. 16][para. 17]. General practice departments handle many chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, which draw a considerable number of Hong Kong patients [para. 18][para. 19].

Hong Kong's healthcare system, although excellent, is strained by overburdened general outpatient clinics and the difficulty in securing appointments. In contrast, mainland hospitals offer same-day consultation and prescription services, albeit with different types of medications [para. 20][para. 21]. Private hospitals in Shenzhen have also seen a surge in Hong Kong patients, with Shenzhen United Family Hospital reporting an increase from 1% to 20% of its patients being from Hong Kong recently [para. 22][para. 23][para. 24].

Henry Xiao, an executive at Shenzhen United Family Hospital, notes three categories of Hong Kong patients: those crossing for non-urgent medical needs, former residents familiar with mainland medical practices, and those living or working long-term in mainland cities [para. 25][para. 26].

Medical services in Shenzhen are seen as more affordable, especially for non-urgent procedures and traditional Chinese medicine, compared to Hong Kong [para. 27][para. 28][para. 29]. The boom in cross-border medical treatment is driven by several factors, including cost-effectiveness, efficient service, and the broader range of treatments available [para. 30][para. 31]. For instance, patients traveling to Shenzhen for dental care and other routine surgeries find significant cost savings compared to private services in Hong Kong [para. 32][para. 33][para. 34].

While some Hong Kong residents continue to believe in the superiority of their local medical standards, others are lured by the cost savings and efficiency of mainland hospitals, particularly for routine and non-emergency treatments [para. 35][para. 36][para. 37]. Despite the affordances of the public healthcare system in Hong Kong, the high demand often results in longer wait times [para. 38][para. 39].

Overall, the integration of medical resources across borders, supported by public policies including the Hong Kong Elderly Healthcare Voucher Scheme and potential expansion of service availability in the Greater Bay Area, suggests a growing interdependence in healthcare provisions between Hong Kong and mainland China [para. 40][para. 41][para. 42][para. 43].