Hong Kong’s first dedicated Chinese medicine hospital, set to open in Tseung Kwan O this December, will deliver a groundbreaking “one-stop service” model, combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western medical practices, an official announced Sunday.
Cheung Wai-lun, project director of the Chinese Medicine Hospital Project Office, outlined the hospital’s vision on a radio program, emphasizing a patient-centered approach. “In principle, it will be a one-stop service, with more self-service elements for the public,” Cheung said. “All issues can be addressed in one place, eliminating the need to queue at different locations.”
The hospital will offer a mix of government-subsidized and private services, with detailed information on offerings and fees to be released by September or October, Cheung added. Beyond clinical care, the facility will prioritize research and evidence collection to advance Chinese medicine.
A key feature of the hospital will be its effort to bridge the gap between Chinese and Western medical practices. Cheung highlighted a “joint consultation model” where practitioners from both disciplines will collaborate on patient care. “We all understand that in Hong Kong, Western medicine doctors may not know too much about Chinese medicine and vice versa,” he said. “We will develop a system so that they will discuss the patient situation jointly, based on evidence-based medicine, to ensure the two streams can cooperate and communicate to bring maximum benefit to patients.”
Bian Zhaoxiang, associate vice-president of Clinical Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University, said the hospital will provide general and referral outpatient care, as well as inpatient treatment. Preparations are accelerating, with ongoing recruitment and the development of clinical protocols and operational frameworks.
The hospital represents a milestone in Hong Kong’s healthcare landscape, aiming to integrate traditional practices with modern medical standards to enhance patient outcomes.
