Geriatrics specialist Dr Pang Fei-chau picked as Hong Kong’s first commissioner for primary healthcare
- Dr Pang Fei-chau, a clinical associate professor at the University of Hong Kong’s faculty of medicine, took up the role on Monday
- Appointment comes weeks after city leader John Lee announced that the government would publish a primary healthcare blueprint to revamp current system
A seasoned geriatrician and medical professor has been appointed as Hong Kong’s first commissioner for primary healthcare as the sector undergoes the biggest reforms in a decade with a shift in focus from hospital to community care.
The blueprint aims to revamp the healthcare system from its current treatment-oriented, hospital-based structure to one that is prevention-focused and community-based. Additional resources will be invested to promote primary healthcare.
A new healthcare authority with an independent budget will also be set up to ease the burden on the public sector and deliver the blueprint, a move medical industry veterans have described as the biggest reform in a decade.
“Dr Pang has extensive experience in public healthcare development and management,” a Health Bureau spokesman said on Monday.
“He will lead the Primary Healthcare Office to take forward primary healthcare development and implement relevant measures set out in the primary healthcare blueprint, including the establishment of the Primary Healthcare Authority and fostering the prevention and management of chronic diseases.”
Before joining the university, Pang was head of human resources at the Hospital Authority, providing strategic advice and leadership on workforce operations at more than 40 facilities.
