Time for Hong Kong to properly integrate private and public healthcare

Hong Kong’s healthcare system has long prided itself on its dual-track approach: a robust public sector providing affordable care, and a private sector offering speed and choice – if you can afford it. In theory, this model gives patients the best of both worlds. In practice, it is struggling: an overburdened public system, an inadequately regulated private sector and a health insurance framework failing to bridge the gap.

The Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) launched in 2019 was designed to encourage residents to meet more of their healthcare needs privately. Yet years later, the impact remains marginal. Public hospitals still account for more than 80 per cent of all hospital beds, and patients still rely overwhelmingly on the public system. While more than a million VHIS policies have been bought, many appear to be reluctant to use them due to high co-payment amounts and gaps in coverage, especially under the standard plan.