Hong Kong to enhance palliative care as population aging accelerates

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong, which is facing the acceleration of population aging, is working to enhance the provision of palliative care for terminal patients, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said on Thursday.

"Hong Kong is facing an escalating demand for accessible palliative care. The (HKSAR) government is working to enhance the provision of such care services," said HKSAR Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Lam made the remarks at the opening ceremony for a hospice, praising the new hospice as "another major step forward in palliative care in Hong Kong" and appealing to the community to support continued efforts in palliative care services for terminally ill patients and their families.

Public hospitals administrated by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority have a total of 360 beds specifically for terminally ill patients, but Lam said the number is "far from enough" considering the accelerating population aging.

The Hospital Authority has been cooperating with elderly homes to enhance the provision of care at the level of community, Lam said, adding that the HKSAR government will also cooperate with the Hospital Authority in policy planning and related measures.