Should Hong Kong Follow Singapore's Lead and Allow MPF Withdrawals for Medical Fees?

W. Syaban

April 06, 2025

Readers explore methods to reduce the financial strain on healthcare systems, examine how changes in fees affect lower-income households, and look into the Chinese translation for primary care services.

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In the midst of an economic downturn and the present circumstances in Hong Kong, fiscal difficulties , the Health Authority is planning to reform its system of fees and charges The changes are set to be introduced in January 2026.

This step is wise since our public hospitals receive significant subsidies. Should these subsidies become unsustainable, they could impact healthcare services. However, beyond modifying medical charges, Hong Kong should also seek alternative ways to reduce financial pressure.

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In his article "Fee increases won't solve Hong Kong's healthcare financing crisis", Professor Wilson Wong gave some constructive suggestions. In particular, he mentioned using mandatory health insurance schemes or health savings accounts to supplement public funding. Indeed, why not allow Hongkongers to use part of their Mandatory Provident Fund to pay for their medical expenses? Such an arrangement could be a responsible way to alleviate the fiscal burden.

Reform could be more extensive. Our health officials frequently blame individuals for incorrect usage. accident and emergency services Nevertheless, has the Hospital Authority offered sufficient district-level clinics as an alternate solution?

Imagine being in this scenario. If there aren’t sufficient clinics offering services during nighttime. , Patients will promptly head to the regional hospital, thereby escalating the burden on its emergency department (A&E). Providing comprehensive 24/7 services at the local health center level might alleviate this strain on hospital emergency rooms, enabling them to concentrate more effectively on critical cases. Local clinics would then assess patient needs before deciding whether they should be referred to a hospital.

Should medical reforms be limited to mere adjustments in fees? Wouldn’t it make sense for the Hospital Authority to establish additional district clinics instead, ensuring that the changes are broader and more inclusive?

Lo Wai Kong, Tsuen Wan

Rising fees will have a significant impact on low-income families.

The recent reforms introduced for Hong Kong's public healthcare fees have garnered significant societal interest. Being a physician advocating for primary care based on the principles of accessibility, affordability, and availability, I feel that this so-called "reform" could prove detrimental.

I am particularly concerned that it may lead low-income families, the working poor and elderly people living on their own to delay seeking healthcare. The immediate feedback from these groups was that they were unsure how to determine whether a medical condition was urgent. Others were concerned about their eligibility for fee waivers , let alone navigating the bureaucracy involved. In the meantime, caregivers were concerned that health insurance costs might rise.

The rise in costs for public healthcare, especially for basic outpatient visits, will have a more significant impact on low-income families who depend on these services. This could discourage them from getting essential medical advice, which might ultimately result in higher health burdens at hospitals.

Although the eligibility for fee waivers Will people become more at ease, knowing about this opportunity and applying for it? Individuals from ethnic minorities and those residing solo may face greater challenges.

In 2017, a study examining the utilization of healthcare services among Hong Kong’s working poor was carried out by Health in Action, with guidance from the Chinese University's School of Public Health and Primary Care. The findings revealed that approximately 60 percent of these individuals did not have health insurance through their employment. Among those who required medical attention, only 20 percent opted for treatment at public sector outpatient facilities, whereas 30 percent decided to treat themselves without professional help. Many others refrained from seeking care altogether due to worries over expenses and lost work hours.

As a result of these discoveries, the Health In Action Community Pharmacy was established in 2019.

I strongly encourage the government to increase investment in local pharmacies as part of this upcoming "reform." Local pharmacies have the potential to play crucial roles in managing widespread ailments and shifting how individuals approach their healthcare needs.

Local pharmacies might serve as the initial touchpoint in healthcare, where pharmacists offer essential advice during health evaluations. Certain patients may subsequently receive care within their communities instead of being referred to emergency rooms. Consequently, this approach could significantly lessen the dependence on A&E departments for issues that aren’t urgent.

Dr Fan Ning, founder , Health in Action

The essence of primary health care gets diluted in translation.

The Department of Health is urgently appealing to the public to utilize primary healthcare services more effectively in order to alleviate the strain on emergency departments and specialized medical services. However, what seems to be overlooked is that for over 90 percent of Hong Kong residents who are ethnically Chinese, translating the phrase "primary healthcare" presents difficulties.

The phrase "primary healthcare" is clear in English. However, in Chinese, the official term utilized is gei cang yi liu , which can be interpreted as "healthcare for the grass roots". This is misleading. It would be better if the department promotes primary healthcare in Chinese as cho bou yi liu, refers to fundamental or primary medical care services.

Wing Tsang, Discovery Bay