By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-22 06:31:29 | Updated at 2025-03-22 14:47:11
8 hours ago
A pilot subsidy scheme for chronic disease screenings at private clinics in Hong Kong will include blood lipid testing starting Friday, with a health official saying an additional 4 per cent of participants are expected to have high cholesterol.
The government on Thursday announced the pilot subsidy scheme for chronic disease screenings at private clinics would expand to blood lipid testing from March 28, building upon existing coverage for diabetes mellitus and hypertension screenings.
Commissioner for Primary Healthcare Dr Pang Fei-chau revealed on Saturday that around 110,000 residents had joined the scheme as of March, and about 40 per cent were found to have prediabetes or hypertension.
He expected the expansion would add an extra 4 per cent of cases with high cholesterol after the screenings, with patients only having to pay HK$120 (US$15.40) for the checks.
“High cholesterol is very common and it is a disease which is not visible,” he told a radio show.
If participants are diagnosed with high cholesterol, they are entitled to a maximum of four subsidised consultation visits in the first year, according to Pang. A maximum of two subsidised consultation visits annually will be provided from the second year onwards.
He explained more advice from the doctor in the first year might be needed after medication was used.
