Healthcare seen as HK birthright

As expected, the Hong Kong government has put aside a lump sum to help bankroll the proposed healthcare reform.

What is surprising is the sheer size of the provision. At HK$50 billion ($6.4 billion), it is nearly half the entire HK$115.6 billion budget surplus for 2007. Of course, there are people who complain that it is still not enough. But considering the fact that the amount provided can more than cover the total healthcare expenditure for the year, that is plenty.

Good as it is, the healthcare system in Hong Kong is facing financial strain that is expected to get worse in coming years. The government has warned that healthcare costs can balloon to more than HK$180 billion a year by 2033.