Background

Our existing healthcare system is facing the challenges of an aging population, escalating healthcare costs as a result of technology advancement and rising community aspirations. Since 1993, various reviews have been conducted, in particular in relation to developing healthcare financing models. While many local and overseas healthcare and financing experts have pointed out that our healthcare system will be financially unsustainable over the long run unless a reform is pursued, there has not been any consensus on the options to tackle the matter. The question of financing is also related to service delivery models. We have to continue to explore cost-effective ways of delivering quality service that can meet the health challenges of the day to help ensure sustainability. Other perceived problems with service provision include the imbalance between the public and private sectors and the need for repositioning of public healthcare services. Beyond the healthcare sector, concerns have been raised about the inadequate interfacing between the delivery of healthcare and welfare services

Against the above background, the Chief Executive has announced in the 2005 Policy Address that the Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee would be reconstituted to assist the government to identify solutions to the various issues. The Advisory Committee is therefore tasked to set strategic directions for the development and financing of health and medical services in Hong Kong.