Hong Kong Healthcare

An aging population and surging number of patients with chronic diseases are prime challenges for the Hong Kong Government. A special taskforce was set up under the Hospital Authority (HA) to tackle these problems. Initiatives include providing smart healthcare and developing smart hospitals with three designated hospitals as pilots to develop a comprehensive suite of smart hospital solutions.   

Technology is pivotal to the initiatives being implemented, as it allows more services to be provided through digital platforms and process automation.  New technologies being piloted include the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, telehealth services, smart ward and clinic applications and command center solutions. 

To modernize the healthcare journey, the HA initiated various kinds of technologies and services in multiple aspects by piloting smart projects to transform healthcare services. For example, AI applications have been adopted in clinical service, such as using AI to highlight chest X-ray abnormalities. Telecare applications, including tele-consultation in wards and special outpatient clinics; tele-drug counselling services; tele-rehabilitation and tele-monitoring are also being used. Robots for cleaning and ward assistance have been deployed to assist with daily hospital operations. Apart from these actions, a hospital command center was set up to improve the accessibility of operational information to the HA staff by producing real-time reports of several key indicators, such as bed capacity.   

Hospital Authority is a statutory body managing all the government hospitals and institutes in Hong Kong. Hospital Authority procures through public tendering process and adheres to the Agreement on Government Procurement of the World Trade Organization (WTO GPA). U.S. exporters interested supplying to the Hong Kong Government are encouraged to register with the Procurement and Materials Management Section (PMMS) of Hospital Authority as registered suppliers. U.S. suppliers may be invited to quote as and when opportunities arise. Tender notices and invitations for expression of interests are also available from their website. Application for “Supplier Registration” with Hospital Authority is free of charge and the application form can be downloaded on their website. Registered U.S. suppliers may be invited to quote as and when opportunities arise HA’s future tender notices. The U.S. Commercial Service in Hong Kong can provide customized assistance to access and understand the market.  

Export-oriented U.S. companies with smart Office.Hongkong@trade.gov.