This undated photo shows Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)
Shenzhen’s Qianhai on Tuesday introduced a raft of measures to support medical institutions from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to develop within the special economic zone, marking the latest step in promoting the SARs’ medical integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The measures aim to provide high-quality medical services to people from Hong Kong and Macao who are working or living across the boundary, in order to help them better integrate into the mainland.
According to the document, qualified Hong Kong and Macao medical institutions that set up office in Qianhai will receive subsidies. General hospitals funded solely by Hong Kong or Macao will get up to 20 million yuan ($2.8 million). Subsidies for jointly-funded general hospitals will be capped at 16 million yuan.
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A 1 million yuan subsidy will be provided to Hong Kong and Macao medical institutions that set up in Qianhai to offer outpatient services. New clinics from Hong Kong and Macao will receive 500,000 yuan
The subsidies will be granted over three years — 50 percent in the first year, 30 percent in the second and 20 percent in the third.
Specialized hospitals from Hong Kong and Macao will also be offered financial support toward their establishment in Qianhai. While hospitals solely invested in by Hong Kong or Macao can get up to 12 million yuan, jointly-funded ones will be granted 9.6 million at most.
A 1 million yuan subsidy will be provided to Hong Kong and Macao medical institutions that set up in Qianhai to offer outpatient services. New clinics from Hong Kong and Macao will receive 500,000 yuan.
“Hong Kong, as Asia’s internationalized medical services center, boasts a sophisticated medical system and advanced medical technologies. Meanwhile, as a core engine of GBA development, Qianhai has large development space and potential in developing healthcare,” said Clara Wu Wing-yee, deputy director of Union Hospital in Hong Kong.
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“Hong Kong and Macao medical institutions can leverage Qianhai’s policy support and resources to carry out international medical services collaborations and provide higher-quality medical services for domestic and overseas patients.”
The first internationalized community health center in Qianhai officially came into service on Tuesday. General practitioners from Hong Kong were introduced to the center to provide high-quality medical services for residents. The health center is co-operated by Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital and the GBA Healthcare Group.
