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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, visited two hospitals today (April 6) to inspect the cataract and joint replacement surgery services that will benefit from increased funding in the new financial year.
The inspection started at the Hong Kong Eye Hospital in Kowloon where the Chief Executive was briefed by the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Anthony Wu. Due to the ageing population, the number of cataract surgeries performed in public hospitals has increased from 17,100 in 2007 to 23,300 last year.
Mr Tsang noted that under the Cataract Surgeries Programme launched in 2008, eligible patients could choose to receive cataract surgery in the private sector with a government subsidy.
With the Budget's provision of $69 million to enhance cataract services in this financial year, it is projected that 3,000 additional operations will be performed in public hospitals. Another 3,000 additional patients will receive subsidies for surgery in the private sector.
The Hospital Authority will open a new cataract centre at the Tseung Kwan O Hospital later this year and enhance services in other hospitals. Taking into account the additional cataract surgeries under the Cataract Surgeries Programme, the tally of cataract surgeries can reach 31,000 in 2011-12, while the waiting time will be shortened to not more than 24 months, versus 35.5 months in 2007.
Mr Tsang then proceeded to the Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital in Lok Fu to inspect the new centre for joint replacement surgery. The centre specialises in hip and knee joint replacement operations, post-operative care and comprehensive rehabilitation programmes. Opened last December, the centre aims to perform 750 surgeries each year.
To meet the rising demand, the Budget proposed to allocate $32 million for setting up another joint replacement centre at Yan Chai Hospital for 400 surgeries each year. This will further reduce the waiting time for patients.
"The provision of quality public healthcare services, especially for the elderly, is always close to my heart. Cataract and joint replacement surgeries help restore patients' visual and joint movement ability. The reduction of waiting time is good news to them. I am glad to talk to a few elderly patients today and learn that they are generally satisfied with the services.
"The demand for elderly healthcare services has been growing with the ageing population. We have been addressing this challenge through increased public spending. The estimated healthcare expenditure in the current financial year has increased by more than $3 billion compared with last year.
"Apart from cataract and joint replacement surgeries, the additional funding will also be used to enhance mental health services, expand the coverage of the Drug Formulary, and provide better palliative care for end-stage cancer and end-stage organ failure patients, etc," Mr Tsang said.
Ends/Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:45
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