Press Releases

07 Dec 2023

CUHK Medical Centre and The GBA Healthcare Group announce strategic cooperation to jointly build The GBA Integrated Value Based Care Partnership Ecosystem

Today, CUHK Medical Centre ("CUHKMC") and The GBA Healthcare Group (HK) Limited ("GBAH Group") signed a strategic cooperation agreement, to jointly build The GBA Integrated Value Based Care Partnership Ecosystem. Dr Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre and Dr Felix LEE, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the GBA Healthcare Group were present at the signing ceremony for this collaborative. Based on years of experience in Guangdong-Hong Kong medical collaboration, GBAH Group officially launches the initiative to establish "The GBA Integrated Value Based Care Partnership Ecosystem" and announces CUHK Medical Centre as its first partner hospital in Hong Kong. Both parties are committed to patient health outcomes and will jointly provide cross-border healthcare services covering general outpatient services in the Greater Bay Area, and specialized inpatient services in Hong Kong for residents in the Greater Bay Area. Concurrently, CUHKMC declares GBAH Group as its "Designated Value Based Care Insurance Proposition Partner", aiming to meet policyholders' healthcare service needs in Hong Kong by partnering with insurance companies to create health insurance plans that offer all-inclusive package fees and cover cross-border medical services. With the acceleration of the aging society, medical expenses are rapidly increasing. However, there is still a need to improve medical efficiency and effectiveness. Due to insufficient prevention, the number of patients with tumors and chronic diseases is increasing year by year. The disease-centered medical model needs to quickly transition to a health-centered model. “Value-based care” concept emerged in 2006 and has since become a widely discussed topic globally. However, in China, it is still in its early stages. In contrast to traditional healthcare models, value-based care seeks to balance the business paradox of "good, fast, and cheap" by providing better healthcare services and achieving improved health outcomes at more affordable medical costs.  Value-based care has the following characteristics: Focuses on health rather than disease. Charges based on patient health outcomes rather than services. Provides the most cost-effective healthcare services under the premise of improving patient health outcomes. For various stakeholders in healthcare services, value-based healthcare holds the following values: Payers: Controls costs and reduces risks by creating health insurance products based on disease prevention. Providers: Focuses on delivering services most beneficial to patient health without worrying about over or under servicing. Patients: Obtains better treatment and preventive care at a lower cost. By coordinating the incentive mechanisms for payers, healthcare providers, and patients, the goal is to improve societal health levels and reduce overall healthcare expenditures. Dr Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”), said, "We are delighted to form strategic partnership with GBAH Group, which has been deeply rooted in the Greater Bay Area for many years, promoting Hong Kong-style medical services to multiple cities in the Greater Bay Area through a public-private partnership model. It is a pioneer and promoter of Guangdong-Hong Kong medical collaboration, possessing valuable experience in value-based care practices. CUHKMC shares a common goal with GBAH Group to promote population health, and aim to serve the 87 million residents in the Greater Bay Area through mutual medical support and exchanges, in particular serving the 600,000 Hong Kong residents living in the Greater Bay Area." Dr Felix LEE, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the GBA Healthcare Group (“GBAH Group”), said, "We are delighted that CUHKMC has become the first partner hospital in Hong Kong for The GBA Integrated Value Based Care Partnership Ecosystem. As the convener of the collaborative system, we carefully select clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, technology companies, and other medical-related institutions in the Greater Bay Area. Leveraging the advantages of general prevention and specialized treatment, we harness the dual protection of medical services and health insurance, providing trustworthy, affordable, and easily accessible medical services for residents in the Greater Bay Area. CUHKMC is a private university-affiliated teaching hospital in Hong Kong, with outstanding specialized capabilities and strong research and clinical strength. As the first Hong Kong partner hospital, CUHKMC will complement the mainland medical system, jointly ensuring the health of residents in the Greater Bay Area. So far, GBAH Group has over a hundred partner clinics and 8 partner hospitals being engaged in Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration, offering diverse choices for healthcare and cross-border medical services for residents in the Greater Bay Area. Going forward, we look forward to collaborating with more partners dedicated to value-based care to jointly create a distinctive value-based care model in the Greater Bay Area." The strategic cooperation between CUHKMC and GBAH Group will begin with research and clinical exchanges at the hospital where the Hong Kong-Macau Residents Healthcare Services Center is located. Through a cross-border two-way referral service model, it aims to enrich healthcare choices for residents in the Greater Bay Area and enhance their medical experience from outpatient to inpatient, from routine care to disease treatment. With the support of the partnership system, the two parties will create innovative insurance products centered around patient health, using the most cost-effective healthcare service payment model to provide residents with the most valuable health coverage. About The GBA Integrated Value Based Care Partnership Ecosystem The GBA Integrated Value Based Care Partnership Ecosystem is a regional collaborative medical service system initiated by GBAH Group. Participants in the partnership system include payers (insurance and reinsurance companies), service providers (hospitals and clinics), technology companies (cross-border data and clinical systems), and retail pharmacies in Hong Kong and cities in the Greater Bay Area. The partnership ecosystem, centered around residents' health, aims to achieve the goal of keeping residents healthy and preventing illnesses through medical collaboration. When residents require medical services, the partnership ecosystem will synergize by integrating internet hospitals, comprehensive primary care services, and hospital specialty diagnostic and treatment resources, leveraging the advantages of cross-border medical services. This ensures that patients receive the most cost-effective treatment and preventive care, enables medical service providers to focus on delivering services that are most conducive to patient health, and allows payers to focus on creating health insurance products favorable for disease prevention, ultimately realizing the goal of trustworthy, affordable, and easily accessible healthcare services. GBAH Group is dedicated to promoting the development of value-based healthcare. Over the past five years, the company has collaborated with various local governments in the Greater Bay Area, establishing a collaborative medical network between Guangdong and Hong Kong, laying the foundation for the implementation of value-based care. Specific measures include: Providing international internet hospital services for convenient customer consultations and health inquiries. The company assigns exclusive family doctors to customers, establishes personalized health records, and achieves long-term continuous health management. Establishing Hong Kong-style general outpatient clinics in the six major cities of the Greater Bay Area for convenient local consultations. These clinics, staffed by family doctors, offer comprehensive, continuous, and personalized care services to families in the Greater Bay Area, providing health care and disease prevention services. Establishing a specialized referral service system in public community health service centers and large public hospitals, organizing Guangdong-Hong Kong expert consultations and multidisciplinary consultations, and coordinating the necessary medical resources. Forming a cross-border service network with Hong Kong outpatient clinics and hospitals to provide customers with cross-border medical services ranging from general to specialized care. Establishing the GBA Integrated Value Based Care Partnership Ecosystem, collaborating with international medical and insurance partners to introduce comprehensive outpatient and inpatient insurance services. This aims to achieve the goals of improving medical outcomes, reducing medical costs, and enhancing patient experience in value-based care.

27 Oct 2023

香港中文大學醫院、中山陳星海中西醫結合醫院、香港中華緊急救援正式簽署三方戰略合作框架協議 (Only available in Chinese)

Only available in Chinese

14 Oct 2023

香港名醫診療中心（深圳坪山）與香港中文大學醫務中心 簽署合作諒解備忘錄 (Only available in Chinese)

Only available in Chinese

16 Aug 2023

華為夥香港中文大學醫院簽署戰略合作備忘錄 推5G技術開拓醫護新領域 (Only available in Chinese)

Only available in Chinese

18 May 2023

FWD Hong Kong and CUHK Medical Centre establish partnership to enhance the medical claims experience with market’s first digital pre-authorisation platform in Hong Kong

FWD Hong Kong (“FWD”) and CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”) have entered into a long-term partnership to provide FWD customers with efficient, high-quality medical services through CUHKMC's professional medical team and advanced medical equipment. The market’s first¹ digital pre-authorisation platform will be launched in the first phase of this partnership, which streamlines the application and assessment process and offers customers a paperless, fast, simple and cashless medical claims experience.   New digital pre-authorisation service for a revolutionary medical experience FWD’s pre-authorisation assessment process is a game-changer that allows customers to receive professional medical treatment with peace of mind at CUHKMC. Empowered by Smarter Health, a Singapore-based healthtech company, the new, cutting-edge platform fully digitalises the cashless claims pre-authorisation process and offers a paperless digital medical experience.   Patients undergoing day surgery or hospitalisation are often frustrated with the "pay-and-claim" process and medical expenses that may exceed their budget, which adds to the overwhelming nature of their physical conditions. Pre-authorising medical expenses can be a complicated and time-consuming process, as it requires medical network specialists to submit a physical form to the insurer for assessment. The entire process can take weeks, and the application may not be approved.   Streamlined process to grant approval in as fast as one working day² Once eligible insured persons under FWD’s designated medical plan or voluntary health insurance scheme (VHIS)³ receive medical consultation at CUHKMC, a cashless claims pre-authorisation request will be directly submitted to FWD through the platform. The policyholder, the insured and the doctor will submit their eSignatures for validation via mobile devices in the form of QR codes or emails. The application and review process can be accelerated through the enhanced technology and streamlined procedure, allowing FWD to complete the assessment process as fast as one working day². Both FWD insurance agent and CUHKMC will immediately be notified of the pre-authorisation result through email upon the completion of the assessment process.   After assessment and approval, the Letter of Guarantee and pre-approved eligible guarantee amount will be sent via email to the hospital, doctor and FWD’s insurance agent respectively to facilitate cashless hospital admission. The digital platform eliminates the burden of physical paper forms; significantly reduces time spent on the application and approval processes, and enables the insured to manage their medical expenses before receiving treatment. FWD will digitally pay CUHKMC the pre-approved eligible medical expenses without involving the insured, who can then focus on their medical treatment and enjoy a cashless hospital experience without any related payments³.   Ken LAU, FWD’s Managing Director for Greater China and Hong Kong CEO, said, “We are honoured to collaborate with CUHK Medical Centre to offer professional medical treatment and nursing care services to our customers. With the support of FWD Group’s health and technology colleagues, FWD and CUHK Medical Centre have co-created Hong Kong's first¹ digital pre-authorisation platform, which offers fully digitalised pre-authorisation and payment-free medical claims services. The streamlined application process aims to provide convenience and relieve patients’ financial burdens and anxieties while ensuring timely and proper treatment with peace of mind. Looking ahead, we hope to extend our collaboration to serve more customers as we focus on changing the way people feel about insurance.”   Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, said: “CUHKMC is pleased to collaborate with FWD Hong Kong, which facilitates quality and convenient medical services for patients through the brand-new digital platform. At CUHKMC, we have been dedicated to offering healthcare services at predictable and transparent package fees. With FWD’s digital pre-authorisation platform, transparency of medical expenses for patients is further enhanced. Meanwhile, digitalising processes can also save healthcare personnel’s time in handling paperwork, but be more focused on patients' treatment and care, which aligns with our paperless principle.”   Enabling data exchange to enhance collaboration among medical institutions and insurers With direct access to customers' case status, diagnostic procedures, medical cost breakdowns and related documents on the digital pre-authorisation platform, FWD and CUHKMC can track and manage pre-authorisation requests at any time, which accelerates the assessment process and facilitates faster digital claims payments. The platform enables customers to access more secure medical services whilst fostering communication and collaboration between medical institutions and insurers, leading to a mutually beneficial outcome.   ¹ As of 1 April 2023. This statement is made by FWD based on market information and understanding at the time. ² The time required to complete assessment varies from one to four working days, subject to case complexity and product coverage. ³ Only applicable to customers of FWD’s medical plan or voluntary health insurance scheme (VHIS) holding PREMIER THE ONEcierge medical card and designated medical procedures (i.e. "day surgery") for the time being, and subject to the relevant policy provisions. The actual claimable amount will be based on the final claim decision that is subject to insured person’s eligibility and case based exclusion(s), claim documents /information to be received, benefit limits, general exclusions and other terms and conditions as stated in the policy provisions. Customer is required to pay the deductible balance (if any) of their insurance policy.

13 Jan 2023

Cessation of CUHK Medical Centre Designated Isolation Ward; Continue to support Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts

In accordance with the latest recommendation on infection control measures for COVID-19 issued by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) will cease its designated isolation ward starting from 16 January 2023. According to the latest CHP recommendation, COVID-19 patients can be treated in an area with good ventilation, not necessarily in an isolation room. Following the recommendation, CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) will convert the designated isolation ward to a general ward. After the conversion, the ward will continue to admit COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals or on self-financed basis. The ward will also admit orthopaedic and medical patients referred from public hospitals in segregated designated areas. In addition, since the number of COVID-19 patients seeking out-patient service is decreasing, the COVID Medical Station will be closed. CUHKMC will continue to provide telemedicine service to the COVID-19 patients in need. Dr. Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer, CUHKMC, said, “The changes are made according to the Government’s latest recommendation on infection control measures. In order to relieve the pressure and burden on public hospitals and offer help in combating the epidemic, CUHKMC will continue to provide support to the Hospital Authority with 32 beds for referred COVID-19 patients and 18 beds for recovering orthopaedic and medical patients. As a member of the health system, CUHKMC will continue to serve the community with professionalism and perseverance as always, and to safeguard health of the public.”

21 Dec 2022

Phase Two Expansion of Jockey Club Kitchee Centre Marks a Greater Capacity and Higher Level of Service

The Opening Ceremony of the Phase Two Expansion of the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre was held today to celebrate the completion of the 4-year project by Kitchee Foundation Limited. Recognised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as an “AFC Medical Centre of Excellence”, the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee began operational today along with The Kitchee Bistro, a sports nutrition canteen. They will now serve all professional and youth football players, as well as sports enthusiasts, with the most prestigious level of sports science and nutrition.   Among the distinguished guests were Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan SINGH, Chairman of the AFC Medical Committee, Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, Professor YUNG Shu-hang, Patrick, Professor and Chairman, Department Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, Mr. Ken K. NG, Chairman of Kitchee Foundation, and Dr. C. C. LUK, Chairman of the Kitchee Medical Committee. Mr. Ken K. NG, Chairman of Kitchee Foundation, remarked that the expansion project marked a major breakthrough in Hong Kong football with latest sport science and nutrition innovations. “Despite trials, Kitchee will continue to press forward as a Club and an icon for Hong Kong football. The introduction of new innovations and advanced sciences motivated Kitchee to seize the opportunity to take football into a more professional and scientific level. The Centre will play a stronger role to ensure that young players are in their best condition for every training and match, developing their potential to the fullest to bring glory to Hong Kong.”   Guided by the principles of sports medicine, the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee is operated by the orthopaedics team of the CUHK Medical Centre. It provides treatments for sports-related injuries or musculoskeletal damages using innovative and advanced medical equipment. The Medical Clinic is capable of treating pre-existing sports-related injuries, rehabilitation and injury prevention, as well as providing assessment on players’ physical condition with the help of innovative sports science equipment, enhancing their performance on the pitch. It will also be a hub for the development of sports medicine and sports science by performing data collection and analysis on footballers of different ages for research purposes, which will be used in publication, promotion, and application for sports science.   The CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee was the result of the collaboration between Kitchee Foundation and the CUHK Medical Centre. The soft launch of the Medical Clinic began in June, providing daily support to all Kitchee players, as well as accepting appointments and treating patients who were suffering from sports-related injuries. Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, expected that the Medical Clinic, as a specialised sports medicine centre, would be a landmark for sports development in Hong Kong. “CUHK Medical Centre is a non-profit, private teaching hospital, taking care of the various medical needs in the community. We are honoured to cooperate with Kitchee to advocating sports science to the local community, such that more sports lovers and public members could understand more about sports medicine, injury prevention and enhancement of sports performance. Through the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee, we hope we can help drive the development of sports medicine, while making contributions to the local sports community.”   The Kitchee Bistro is crucial in fulfilling the Club’s vision in practising and promoting sports science and nutrition management. Built upon the values of sports nutrition, The Kitchee Bistro has designed a series of diet plans for players to suit their needs during regular training, match days, and recovery. These diet plans will help all players to get the nutrients desperately needed after vigorous exercise for refuelling, thus increasing performance on the pitch. Young players can learn the importance of a balanced dieting lifestyle, cultivating a diet essential to becoming a professional football player during their developmental phase. This season, The Kitchee Bistro has been providing meals for the First Team, and youth team players who participate in the Premier Youth League, ensuring that all players are well nourished and prepared for matches.   Besides the specialised menu for football players, The Kitchee Bistro has undergone researches and experiments to craft a menu that appeals to both the mouth and the body, finding the balance between taste and nutrition, and is available to the public. Staying true to the Club’s pursuit of a nutritious eating lifestyle, all dishes are reviewed by registered dietitians to ensure that they are both delicious and healthy, creating a low sugar, low oil, and low fat dining experience.   Kitchee Foundation Limited announced the Phase Two Expansion Project for the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre on 28 March 2018. An additional level has been built on top of the Amenity Building, allowing the Centre to house the new facilities. Additional floodresistant measures have also been implemented to allow the Centre to withstand extreme weather. The multi-purpose seminar room on the first floor is well-equipped with multimedia devices for conference use, as well as for the First Team and youth teams to hold their pre-match tactical meetings in the seminar room. The seminar room is also open to the general public upon reservation for activities such as seminars and workshops.

08 Nov 2022

“Be with You - Breast Cancer Patient Support Program”

CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) partners with Roche Hong Kong Limited (Roche) to launch “Be with You - Breast Cancer Patient Support Program” (Program). While the Program is CUHKMC's first medicinal patient support program, it is among many other Roche’s patient support programs in Hong Kong which are operated through the partnering between other non-profit-making organisations, patient support groups and healthcare organisations with other medical practitioners to support patients in need. The Program, jointly supported by CUHKMC and Roche, is launched in November 2022 for a period of three years. Breast cancer patients who are suitable to use the targeted therapy drugs listed in the program, and who meet the required financial condition, are eligible to participate. The degree of support is subject to the treatment plan and patient’s financial status.   For program details, please refer to the website: https://www.cuhkmc.hk/patient-info/patient-support-program 

23 Sep 2022

Human Health Partners with CUHK Medical Centre to Participate in the Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work launched by the Labour Department

Human Health Holdings Limited (“Human Health” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 1419), is pleased to announce that the Actmax Limited (the indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) has been awarded the tender for the 3-year “Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work” (the “Pilot Programme”) launched by the Labour Department and has formed a strategic partnership with CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”) to participate in the Pilot Programme.  The Pilot Programme is rolled out today (23rd September 2022). It aims to provide timely and well-coordinated private out-patient rehabilitation treatment services for injured construction employees who have been absent or are expected to be absent from work for six weeks or more because of the work injury, so as to prevent their injury from developing into chronic illness and facilitate their early recovery and return to work.     The cost of the Pilot Programme is mainly borne by the Government.  Human Health estimates that the total amount involved is approximately HK$310 million. The actual expenditure will depend on factors such as the number of injured employees participating in the Pilot Programme and their service needs. A Work Injury Rehabilitation Office (“WIRO”) is established under the Pilot Programme and the Group is responsible for its daily operations and management. There are over 70 rehabilitation treatment service points across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, to provide greater convenience for participants. The Pilot Programme covers case management services and rehabilitation treatment services including medical treatment (provided by general practitioners, specialists in orthopaedics or specialist in occupational and environmental medicine), physiotherapy, occupational therapy, imaging examination service and electrodiagnostic testing service.  The Labour Department will, based on the reported work injury cases, preliminarily identify suitable injured construction employees and contact them to introduce the Pilot Programme.  The Labour Department will,with the consent of the injured employees, pass their information to WIRO to follow up on the procedures for participation.  Each participant will be followed up and arranged to receive early rehabilitation treatment by a designated case manager.     The strategic partnership formed between Human Health and CUHKMC will synergise Human Health’s mature administrative management experience and strong operation network, with CUHKMC’s professionalism in rehabilitation, as well as clinical quality assurance and personnel training.     Mr. Chan Kin Ping, BBS, JP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Human Health, said, “We are very honored to participate in the Pilot Programme and join hands with CUHKMC through establishing the strategic partnership. Human Health has always been dedicated to providing Hong Kong citizens with diversified and comprehensive professional medical services, and CUHKMC is also experienced in providing quality and transparent medical services to the Hong Kong citizens. We believe that such collaboration will enable both parties to provide high-quality rehabilitation services to the injured construction employees and thereby bringing benefits to both injured employees and employers and the community as a whole. In addition, it is believed that the Pilot Programme will provide foundation for the Group to develop its rehabilitation services and further facilitate the development of the medical services of the Group as well as strengthen its collaboration with the Hong Kong Government.”     Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHKMC said, “Through this partnership, we hope the injured construction employees can receive timely professional diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, so that they can return to work and resume normal life as early as possible. The Pilot Programme relieves public hospitals’ pressure in work injury treatment and rehabilitation service, and helps promote the concept of ‘early treatment’ among employers and employees, so that both of them will understand the importance of receiving rehabilitation treatment in a timely manner.”