Will and How Can Health Targets Truly Benefit Hong Kong?
by Dr C H Leong
Problems with HK Health System
Areas to Boast Excellent health statistics
Areas of Concern Rising Health Care Cost
Conventional Way to Reduce Health Care Cost
Hospital Develop
Treatment is Expensive Better Primary Health Care is Better than Cure
Prevention Keeping
People Health
Keeping People Health
Target to Prevent Certain Disease / Illness
------ Health Target
Preamble
Health Targets About “Health” Not “Sickness” Promoting Health To Reduce / Curb illness
Why Health Targets
Many diseases / illness are Preventable
As medical science progress there will be more
Why Health Targets
Health Targets are NOT Medical issues only
It is a
Moral
/ Ethical issue Cultural issue Educational issue Societal issue
Problems
The The
wrong approach
Government’s / Doctors’ responsibility syndrome
The
“Anti-health” movements “lack of interest”
Politicians
Problems
Policy
makers “concern”
“Health Targets” with “Health Care Targets” Health is everybody’s business
Confusing
Problems
Wrong Approach The best way to get well is to get the best treatment in a best hospital by the best doctor The best way to get well is to remain well
Problems
Government’s / Doctors’ responsibility syndrome
Government / Doctors are responsible to
Make
sure I am health Treat my sickness
Problems
“Anti-health” movements
“Health
Junk
harming” agents are big business
Tobacco
food etc
control on products “Burden” on employers
“Stringent”
Problems
Politicians “Lack of Interest” Short sightedness Very difficult to gain votes Might even loss votes
Problems
Policy makers “concern” Long Term results (if any) Too wide an issue Opposition from “Anti-health” movements “Health Care Targets” more attractive
Danger of Health Target
Over Concentration in prevention of some conditions ONLY
Disregard the concept of TOTAL HEALTH
Requirement of Successful Health Target
Approval / Cooperation of Government Professional Community
Achievement of Health Targets
Change Behavior Staying Healthy is better than Curing Sickness
Change Culture Health is Everyone’s own Responsibility