HONG KONG — The city’s first dedicated Chinese Medicine Hospital (CMH) launched phased services today in Tseung Kwan O, marking a pivotal moment for traditional healing practices within Hong Kong’s public health system. Operated by Hong Kong Baptist University under a landmark public-private partnership, the facility is poised to be the cornerstone for advancing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) through integrated clinical care, research, and professional training.
The hospital began accepting appointment bookings both online and via telephone last month, signaling its readiness to provide specialized services. Officials emphasized that the new facility is not merely a clinic but a comprehensive medical center designed to handle complex cases and, crucially, to formalize collaboration between TCM and Western medicine practitioners.
A New Model for Integrated Healthcare
Unlike the existing 18 District Chinese Medicine Clinics, which serve as primary care providers for common ailments like colds, the CMH functions at secondary and tertiary levels, focusing on chronic or complicated conditions. This distinction, noted by Dr. Cheung Wai-lun, Director of the Chinese Medicine Hospital Development Planning Office, establishes the CMH as a key referral center.
The hospital’s operational model is designed around three pathways: purely TCM services, TCM-led treatment, and integrated Chinese and Western medicine collaboration.
“The CMH is government-managed, not under the Hospital Authority, employing a pioneering public-private arrangement with Baptist University,” said Dr. Cheung. “Our unique feature is the integrated collaboration model.”
Dr. Bian Zhaoxiang, Chief Executive Officer of the CMH, explained that when the chief TCM physician determines that a case requires broader intervention, a Western medical team will be brought in to jointly determine the optimal treatment plan. This collaboration aims to build a robust evidence base and standardized clinical protocols transferable across the health sector.
Services, Specialties, and Accessibility
The CMH will initially offer six core specialties: internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics and traumatology, and acupuncture. These departments will treat 23 specific diseases, including chronic pain, macular degeneration, and infertility. In recognition of Hong Kong’s aging population, specialized geriatric care focusing on preventative TCM principles (known as zhi wei bing) will also be emphasized.
A notable service is the Day Inpatient Service, a key innovation offering intensive, multi-modal treatment for complex conditions like severe eczema, structured into four-hour morning or afternoon slots. This service, priced at HK$450 per session during the first year, includes consultation, exams, medication, and advanced tests like blood work and X-rays, bundled into a transparent fee. The treatments leverage a combination of modalities, including acupuncture, fumigation, and physical therapy. The hospital plans to introduce 24-hour inpatient services in its second year to cater to severe cases requiring continuous monitoring, such as post-stroke rehabilitation patients with limited self-care ability.
For general care, all-inclusive general outpatient consultations—covering TCM or Western medical diagnosis and various TCM therapies—start at HK$180. Specialty outpatient services begin at HK$250.
Future of TCM Financing and Logistics
Currently, the government-affiliated status of the CMH means its general services are not covered by the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme, which is restricted to primary care premises. However, Dr. Cheung suggested that integrating the CMH into long-term healthcare financing will be considered as TCM policy matures.
Though situated relatively remotely in Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O, officials are confident about accessibility. A dedicated public car park offering 146 spaces is already operational, and the location is served by multiple bus and minibus routes from nearby MTR stations, including Kwun Tong, Tiu Keng Leng, and Hang Hau. The operations team is also working with the Transport Department to establish dedicated shuttle services.
By combining public resources with academic operations and fostering genuine East-West collaboration, the new Chinese Medicine Hospital is set to redefine TCM’s role, shifting it from marginal alternative practice toward an essential, evidence-based pillar of Hong Kong’s future health system.
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