Hong Kong to review regulations after abrupt closure of Alliance Medical Group
City leader vows to better protect consumer rights by considering statutory cooling-off period or limiting duration of healthcare contracts

Hong Kong’s leader has vowed to better protect consumer rights by studying the possibility of introducing a statutory cooling-off period or limiting the maximum duration of prepaid healthcare contracts following the abrupt closure of a medical group.
As of Tuesday, the city’s consumer watchdog had received 773 complaints concerning the group’s closure, with the amount involved rising to nearly HK$4.3 million (US$554,800).
The government set up an interdepartmental task force to handle the matter last week after customers discovered the group’s two clinics in Tsim Sha Tsui and Sha Tin had closed without warning. The company offered prepaid vaccination packages for children, among other services.
Lee said his administration would review current regulations in light of the incident.
“Currently, the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance regulates the facilities and safety of healthcare services, while prepaid consumption is governed by contracts,” he said ahead of his weekly meeting with advisers in the Executive Council.