https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2057435/letters-editor-december-27-2016

Sometimes we just get sick. When you are in a new city, you may be unfamiliar with the medical system. That’s why we are writing this blog for you, to help you to get prepared for the unprepared.

There are 2 different medical systems in Hong Kong, namely public healthcare and private healthcare. The public healthcare system is way more affordable than the private one, if you hold a HKID card; while for the private one, if you have got a health insurance, it can be affordable as well. Other than the western-styled treatment, you may also go for the traditional Chinese doctors for consultation. In the following, the details of the different types of treatment and system will be covered.

1. Public healthcare (Western medicine)

In Hong Kong, the public healthcare system is very comprehensive. It includes hospitals, clinics and specialist care. For the most common one among public, it is the public hospital. Do you know how much does it cost for you to go consult a doctor there? It can be real cheap and real expensive at the same time: The controlling factor will be whether you have a HKID card or not. For instance, when it comes to a general outpatient visit, if you have a HKID card, it only costs $50 per attendance; if not, $445, which is even higher than some of the private clinics. However, if you do not have much time, we suggest you rather not to visit as usually you will need to wait for at least 4 hours, sometimes in peak season, you may even need to wait for the whole day for the consultation.

Here’s the list of some public hospitals for your reference:

1. Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Tel: 2255 3838
2. Tsan Yuk Hospital, Sai Ying Pun, Tel: ‎2589 2100
3. Tung Wah Hospital, Sheung Wan, Tel: 2859 7626
4. Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Tel: ‎2595 6111
5. Tang Shiu Kin Hospital, Wan Chai, Tel: ‎2591 6886
6. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Jordan, Tel: 3506 8888
7. Kwong Wah Hospital, Yau Ma Tei, Tel: ‎2332 2311
8. Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Tseung Kwan O, Tel: 2208 0111
9. Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, Tel: ‎3505 2211
10. Pok Oi Hospital, Yuen Long, Tel: 2486 8000

*Good for those who have time and HKID card

2. Private healthcare (Western medicine)

There are 12 private hospitals in Hong Kong that is under the Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Maternity Homes Registration Ordinance (Chapter 165). For outpatient visit, it costs $790-2210 per attendance. If you would like to visit a private clinic, you may visit this Private Clinic List for the one nearest to your home. The cost basically starts from $400, depends on the doctor and the medicine provided.

Here’s the list of private hospitals in Hong Kong:

1. Canossa Hospital (Caritas), Mid-levels, Tel: 2522 2181
2. Evangel Hospital, 6 branches in Kowloon, Tel: 2711 5221
3. Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital, Wong Chuk Hang, Tel: 3153 9000
4. Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road, Causeway Bay, Tel: 3651 8888
5. Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan, Tsuen Wan, Tel: 2275 6688
6. Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, 5 branches in Kowloon, 1 in the N.T., Tel: 2339 8888
7. Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Limited, Happy Valley and Shau Kei Wan, Tel: 2572 0211
8. Matilda & War Memorial Hospital, 3 branches in HK Island, Tel: 2849 0111
9. Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas), Sham Shui Po, Tel: 3971 9900
10. St. Paul’s Hospital, Causeway Bay and Kwai Chung, Tel: 2890 6008
11. St. Teresa’s Hospital, Prince Edward and Kwai Chung, Tel: 2711 9111 2200 3434
12. Union Hospital, 4 branches in Kowloon, 6 in the N.T., Tel: 2608 3388

*Good for those who have packed schedule, have adequate money and probably without a HKID card   https://www.qhms.com/centre/qh-gp-pc.aspx?lang=en

3. Chinese Medicine

For traditional Chinese way of treatment, it has divided into the public system and private system respectively as well. For public one, as the cost for each treatment varies, you will need to contact each clinic accordingly. For the full list of public Chinese practitioners, you may view it here and choose the one according to your available hours and location. For private, view it here.

*Good for those who wanna cure the disease and the symptoms at the same time  

Don’t want to wait for the consultation for so long? Register for an insurance plan then you can enjoy the service at private clinics and hospitals at a lower price!

Do you know the majority of doctors will have their clinics at the city centre? If you don’t want to rush to other districts for the treatment when you are super ill, it is highly recommended that you should rent an apartment located at the heart of city. http://www.iso.cuhk.edu.hk/english/publications/CUHKUPDates/article.aspx?articleid=1810

If you are an expat looking for a serviced apartment or furnished apartment in Hong Kong, check the available units out in the largest serviced apartment booking platform, MetroResidences! We offer the largest selection of stylish and affordable furnished apartments for 1 to 12 month stays.