There is a strong public consensus for a healthcare reform, said Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang yesterday.

In the opening speech of the Hospital Authority (HA) Convention 2008, Tang revealed some of the preliminary results of the first stage of the healthcare reform consultation, which ends on June 13.

Public views were gathered from 90 public briefings and forums that the government organized, he said.

There is a strong consensus in the community in favor of a reform of the current healthcare system, he said.

"While people value the quality services that are currently provided, there is a strong feeling that a reform is needed to sustain and enhance the system," he said.

Many people also believe that strengths of the current system should be maintained to continue providing basic healthcare for all, especially for the low-income group, he said.

He also noted that the public would like the current system to improve as soon as possible.

A number of reform options have been proposed. They include enhancing primary care, promoting public-private partnership, developing electronic health records and strengthening the safety net, he said.

The government and the HA have already started some pilot projects to address the reforms.

For example, in February the HA started a scheme to fund 4,000 cataract patients to undergo surgery by private ophthalmologists.

Tang also mentioned that many people agree that healthcare financing is important to ensure sustainable resources.

There are different views on the financing options, he said.

Although many respondents want more government funding for the healthcare system, raising taxes to fund the scheme is the least favorite option.

In general, the public prefers individual paying extra contributions for a more personalized healthcare system, he said.

People differ the most on the contributory options in terms of who should contribute and the level of contribution.

Many are concerned with the mandatory nature of these options and that the low-income group may not be able to contribute.

Some agree that the well-off should shoulder a higher share of their own future healthcare costs.

Tang promised that the government will look into the issues raised by the public carefully and make specific proposals in the second stage of the consultation.

Before the end of the first stage, there will be another 40 briefings, he said.

He encouraged the community to continue with the discussion so as to reach a consensus on how to reform the city's healthcare system.

(HK Edition 05/06/2008 page1)