60% of Hong Kong’s homeless plan to cut medical visits amid higher fees: survey

Lack of documents and lengthy process cited as barriers for homeless residents in applying for fee waivers

Nearly 60 per cent of homeless Hongkongers plan to make fewer medical visits due to higher fees, an NGO has found, with advocates urging authorities to introduce automatic waivers and simplify subsidy applications.

Kenny Ng Kwan-lim, deputy head of programmes at Impact HK, a charity supporting the homeless, said many street sleepers faced significant hurdles in applying for waivers due to their unstable circumstances.

“Even if their possessions have not been stolen, in the face of their health difficulties, it’s not easy for homeless residents to produce clear records [for applications],” Ng said.

ImpactHK surveyed 120 people who did not have stable accommodation, from street sleepers to low-income residents, between February and March to gauge their views on higher fees for public hospital and clinic visits, as well as medication charges introduced on January 1.

The poll found that 57.1 per cent of respondents said they would reduce visits, including follow-up appointments.

Charges for non-critical and non-emergency patients at public accident and emergency departments increased to HK$400 (US$51) from HK$180.

Patients requiring overnight hospital treatment will need to pay HK$200 to HK$300 per day for a bed, up from HK$100 to HK$120. Fees for family medicine clinics rose from HK$50 to HK$150 per visit, with patients paying HK$5 per prescribed drug for a month’s supply.