Periscope April 2019 – Finding the Right Care

The structural problem of overcapacity has long existed in the public medical sector. With increasing number of patients, public hospitals in Hong Kong are constantly overloaded. Society has to explore alternative healthcare options to minimise reliance on public healthcare in Hong Kong.

The Good Samaritan Law has been widely implemented in Western countries to offer legal protection to people who help in medical emergencies. We talk to scholars about the necessity of enacting the Good Samaritan Law in Hong Kong and how it can change society’s perceptions on first aid.

The government has introduced the concept of “ageing-in-place” to allow seniors to live in their homes as they age. In response to this, foreign domestic workers gradually take up the roles of caregivers at home. They can receive proper medical training from fully-subsidised courses. However, the public has little knowledge about private foreign caregivers, according to employment agencies.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has announced a plan to open the first Chinese medicine hospital in 2024. We listen to union representatives and practitioners about the functions of the hospital, as well as their concerns on its management and mode of operation.