Editorial | Hong Kong’s private hospitals must be able to do more

There exists two healthcare systems in Hong Kong – one for the rich and one for the not so rich. While there are some subsidised partnership programmes to help divert patients from public hospitals to the private ones, the imbalance remains a cause for concern, especially when the city is fighting an uphill Covid battle that commands full support and unity from all sides.

It is disturbing to learn that despite the pledge by 13 private hospitals to provide 364 beds for non-Covid patients from public hospitals, only five facilities have reached 60 per cent of their targets as of August 26. The number of beds has since been increased to no fewer than 380, with an overall occupancy rate of some 70 per cent.

Under the current strategy, private hospitals will not directly handle Covid patients. But it is a matter of moral responsibility for them to help ease the burden. Indeed, it will be a win-win situation when they accept other patients transferred from the Hospital Authority. Not only will it help free up more public hospital beds for coronavirus cases, the hospitals can get government subsidies up to HK$4,000 (US$510) per head per night. There must be room for private institutions to do more.

The problem is not just about the low intake, but also the finger-pointing between the two sides. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu criticised the pace of transfers for being “as slow as a turtle”. But the private hospitals said the government red tape was to blame, referring to the need for some transferred patients having to return to public hospitals for some medical procedures. The buck passing is déjà vu. Regrettably, the public can only watch with dismay as the daily caseloads show no sign of abating.

The painful lessons from the deadliest fifth wave must not be forgotten as the crisis looms larger. Even though the city has since built more facilities and the public healthcare system has yet to reach its full capacity, the growing pressure arising from the resurgence calls for closer cooperation with the private medical sector. The two must work closer together to make the most of the city’s medical resources and manpower. Staying united to fight is the key.