Opinion | Hong Kong healthcare needs reform to remove barriers for patients seeking treatment

Accessible healthcare means more than making medical treatment available and affordable. Efforts should be made to understand what issues stand in the way of patients accessing treatment and work to eliminate them

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A woman receives radiation therapy treatment for cancer. Confusing interactions and a lack of communication between public and private healthcare providers are making some Hongkongers less willing to seek early treatment for cancer and other diseases. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 9:30am, 20 Sep 2023

A recent report suggests a significant number of people in Hong Kong have refused further treatment despite being warned of early signs of kidney disease. The Hong Kong Doctors’ Union, which provided the data, did not offer reasons for such a high refusal rate. Instead, the organisation urged the government to introduce subsidised screenings for kidney disease at private clinics.

People refuse medical treatment for many reasons. Age, marital status, financial situation, family support, medical awareness and personal choices can all come into play. In Hong Kong, we have a public healthcare system which, despite being strained for resources, provides quality, professional care.

However, certain barriers that can deter patients from seeking medical help still exist. My experience of helping my dad with his cancer treatment could provide some clues.

Last summer, my dad underwent minor surgery at a private clinic to remove a small lump on his upper right arm. After the pathology report identified the removed tissue as a malignant tumour, he was referred to specialist consultation at a public hospital.

Thankfully, my dad received an appointment with an oncologist very quickly. Then, the battle began. To prepare for radiotherapy or possibly another operation, the oncologist requested a full-body positron emission tomography (PET) scan and a magnetic resonance imaging scan of his right arm. Because of long waiting times for diagnostic radiology and imaging services at public hospitals, we were given a list of more than 30 private providers to arrange appointments by ourselves.

Choosing a provider was no easy task. As different providers use different machines for diagnostic tests, procedures at some examination centres may take longer than others. Also, not all providers on the list offer the kind of scans requested by my dad’s doctor.