HONG KONG – A two-way transfer arrangement under a pilot scheme for direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area officially began on Friday.
Announcing the implementation of the transfer arrangement with Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said it marked a significant milestone in realizing high-quality medical collaboration in the Bay Area and advancing the high-quality development of a 'Healthy Bay Area.'
“The official implementation of two-way transfer of the pilot scheme starting today offers a safer, more timely and convenient transfer arrangement for patients in the region with specific needs,” Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said, terming it as one of the important measures of the Outline Development Plan for the GBA.
Pointing out that the arrangements for the direct ambulance transfer involve cross-boundary travel of vehicles, healthcare personnel, drugs and medical devices, he thanked all the relevant authorities for their efforts and collaboration in facilitating the advancement of the pilot scheme in a smooth and orderly manner.
Launched on Nov 30, 2024, the pilot scheme will be extended until Nov 29 this year, according to the government.
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Two separate drills preceded the official implementation of the pilot scheme. The first northbound transfer drill with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government took place on Feb 10.
On March 20, the HKSAR government conducted a two-way transfer drill with the Zhuhai and Macao Special Administrative Region governments. During the exercise, the Zhuhai and Macao ambulances first departed from designated receiving hospitals – Zhuhai People's Hospital (ZHPH) and Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao – and traveled to the designated sending hospitals in Hong Kong – Princess Margaret Hospital and Hong Kong Children's Hospital – via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port to pick up the patients.
They later transferred the patients back to the designated receiving hospitals via the same port for treatment. The testing process was smooth, the HKSAR government said.
Total 25 patients have been transferred from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Nansha, and Macao to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong for treatment as of late March.
According to medical assessments, the patients needed continuous hospitalization. Though their conditions were relatively stable, they were unable to cross the boundary on their own and were unsuitable for transfer to an ambulance via the existing boundary control points.
The Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao authorities said they will continue to review the effectiveness and operational experiences and optimize the arrangements of cross-boundary ambulance transfer with the medical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns.
