In recent years, the health departments in Shenzhen and Hong Kong have been cooperating closely in such areas as medical treatment, scientific research, teaching, management and staff training. It can be expected that in future the two places will forge even stronger ties and jointly elevate the levels of their medical treatment and scientific research.

First, where medical treatment is concerned, as more and more Hong Kong people work and reside in Shenzhen, in order to make it more convenient for Hong Kong people to receive medical treatment in Shenzhen, the Shenzhen city health bureau and the Hong Kong Hospital Authority have joined hands in designating 10 hospitals in Shenzhen where emergency medical services are provided to Hong Kong people. The medical fees incurred in the emergency treatment received by Hong Kong people in Shenzhen are to be absorbed by Hong Kong’s medical care system. In addition, for patients who need to return to Hong Kong for urgent treatment, a liaison mechanism has been established between the health departments in both places whereby Shenzhen ambulances will take the patients to the customs checkpoint where Hong Kong ambulances will pick up the patients.

Second, health authorities in Shenzhen and Hong Kong have established close ties. Every year, the Hong Kong Hospital Authority would invite senior officials from the Shenzhen health bureau to attend its annual convention. The two places will also take turns to host the annual high-level Shenzhen-Hong Kong medical management forum. The Shenzhen health bureau is also in close contact with Hong Kong’s Department of Health, and a sound communication mechanism on cross-boundary public health coordination has been set up.

Third, a good cooperation mechanism on medical staff training and scientific research between both places is in place. Every year, more than 10 doctors from Shenzhen come to Hong Kong for free medical specialist training. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CHUK) also sends teaching staff to Shenzhen to train general practitioners. Meanwhile, Hong Kong University (HKU), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and CUHK are cooperating closely with Shenzhen’s medical units in areas such as research in new infectious diseases and measures for handling major public health incidents. Many higher education institutes in Hong Kong have also jointly set up laboratories with medical units in Shenzhen. All these connections play a positive role in enhancing the level of medical treatment and scientific research in both places.

In the days to come, the Shenzhen health department is set to further its cooperation with Hong Kong in medical treatment, scientific research and teaching. For example, Shenzhen has the intent of commissioning the HKU to manage the newly built Binhai Hospital. By introducing advanced management concepts, senior medical teams and specialist technology from HKU, the medical quality of this new hospital can be upgraded to a high level within a short span of time.