Hong Kong > Health

Hong Kong offers an incredibly high quality of healthcare, both in the public and private sectors, so rest that assured you will be in good hands after you move. Unlike many other popular expat destinations, Hong Kong has a well-established public healthcare system, which even non-permanent residents can be eligible for.    more ...

Hong Kong was ranked as having the most efficient healthcare system in the world back in 2017. According to Bloomberg Healthcare Efficiency Index, Hong Kong had an efficiency rating of 89.9 out of a possible 100. Seeing as it boasts world-class hospitals, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and highly-trained practitioners, this is hardly a surprise, and neither is the rising cost.    more ...

Hong Kong is well known for having some of the best healthcare in the world, with extremely high standards of medical practice. In fact, Hong Kong was the first place in the world to carry out an adult-to-adult live donor liver transplant in the early 1990s.    more ...

What is the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, otherwise known as VHIS? As per the official statement, VHIS is a policy initiative implemented by the food and health bureau in Hong Kong to regulate individual indemnity hospital insurance products. Participation is voluntary, for both insurance companies and members of the public. The primary goals are to enhance the protection level of hospital insurance products; to provide the public with the a ...    more ...

The Fragrant Harbor boasts of one of the best healthcare systems across the globe, which is on par with, if not better than, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and a number of other developed nations. In fact, the island’s healthcare is often regarded as the ultimate safety net by numerous foreigners who have worked and lived in this country for a fair period of time, mainly because of the strong sense of security it offers them.    more ...

In December 2015, the first “green bus” in Hong Kong made its journey across the city, followed by at least four more buses on different routes in the next few weeks. The Hong Kong government simultaneously also announced plans for several more electric buses over the course of 2016, as part of a massive scheme to address the city’s growing air pollution problem.    more ...

Expats living in Hong Kong are generally safe and not at risk for any major health complications. But expats planning to relocate should consult their doctor beforehand and inquire if there are any recommended vaccinations or preventive medications. It is also important to ensure that all routine vaccinations and boosters are up to date. Here are some of the health risks that expats may face in Hong Kong.

Avian influenza

The influenza out ...    more ...

Medical standards and the health care system differ hugely from Hong Kong to the mainland of China, and are arguably far better. The outbreak of the SARS virus still haunts Hong Kong in terms of reputation, as over 250 people died in the city. However, having been free from the virus for over seven years, the health of the city is high; in fact it enjoys the second highest life expectancy in the world (at 86 years old for women and 80 years old f ...    more ...

Depending on the situation in your country of origin, you may find several pleasant surprises related to medical care in Hong Kong. Quality is high and costs can be quite low relative to other developed countries. Public options are very affordable and luxurious private options are available for a hefty price.

If you have a Hong Kong ID—and all resident expats must have one—you qualify for public healthcare. This means you can use clinic a ...    more ...

The name Hong Kong means “fragrant harbor.” There is an old joke that when a plane landed at Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s former airport, and the pilots opened the doors, they would look at each other and one would say, “If it’s not you and it’s not me, this must be Hong Kong.” The harbor’s fragrance is no longer a pleasant one, and now, sadly, air pollution in Hong Kong is a common complaint as well.

For the good news first, Victoria ...    more ...