Hong Kong consumer watchdog finds not all health screening packages involve doctors and vary in price and tests offered
- Residents advised to consult family doctors and carefully weigh options before paying for health screening packages
- Consumer Council studies 17 basic health check packages from 12 private hospitals and 16 such plans from 14 private medical institutions

A third of the 33 health screening packages examined by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog do not involve doctors in diagnosis and consultation, raising concerns about how customers would be guided to take appropriate follow-up action.
“A lower price or more tests are not necessarily better, as different tests may pose risks or side effects,” Kyrus Siu King-wai, the council’s convenor of the advisory group on digital economy and IT, told a press briefing.

“It is best to have a doctor recommend an appropriate plan for the individual’s health condition. Consumers should also carefully compare the differences and prices of various plans before making a decision.”
The watchdog, from February to March this year, collected data on prices and examinations of 17 basic health check packages from 12 private hospitals or their affiliated centres and 16 such plans from 14 private medical groups.
The survey looked at eight basic items commonly found in health check plans, including: health and weight measurements, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse or heart rate; waist measurement; physical examination; and visual acuity.
The others were: colour vision test; cardiopulmonary and abdominal examinations; health assessment; and consultation by medical professionals.