Explore Hong Kong’s public health services

While Hong Kong is known for its bustling pace of life, the city has also fostered a robust culture of proactive health management. Ranked among the best in the world, the impressive life expectancy here reflects holistic healthcare that excels in quality, accessibility and, above all, scope.

Beyond curative treatment, arriving talent and their families are encouraged to explore Hong Kong’s public health amenities, including screenings, vaccination, and other preventive services. From infancy to late adulthood, the city is well-equipped to support a healthy lifestyle for all residents:

Infant and child health

Whether you are a parent, or in the process of starting a family, Hong Kong’s healthcare system extends comprehensive care to all newborns and children. For instance, Maternal and Child Health Centres of the Department of Health provide free disease prevention and health promotion service to eligible children, including health and growth monitoring, parenting education, and vaccination services under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP). Additionally, your children in primary school can get vaccinated at school through the Department of Health’s outreaching School Immunisation Teams. The Student Health Service also provides free mop-up vaccination for eligible secondary school students. For further protection, you can consider taking your children to private clinics for vaccines not included in the programme.

To promote good oral hygiene and prevent common dental diseases, the Department of Health also operates the School Dental Care Service for all primary school children. Administered by qualified or trainee dental therapists under direct supervision of dentists, the service covers oral health education, oral examination, and preventive dental treatment.

Adult health

Subsidised health support for the public

The Government provides subsidised health support services for adults. The Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) enables eligible Hong Kong residents to receive seasonal influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination at a subsidised rate from private doctors. Similarly, COVID-19 vaccination is provided with government support through health centres and clinics across the city. Visit the Centre of Health Protection website to learn more about available vaccination programmes in Hong Kong. 

Regular screening

Taking care of your health also means regular screening. The Government has implemented the Cervical Screening Programme (CSP), Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRCSP) and breast cancer screening, based on recommendations from the Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening.

For eligible women aged 25-64 who have ever had sexual experience, Maternal and Child Health Centres provide subsidised cervical screening. Appointments can be made through the Cervical Screening Service 24-hour Phone Booking and Information Hotline at 3166 6631.

In addition, the CRCSP supports asymptomatic Hong Kong residents aged between 50 and 75 to undergo subsidised screening tests every two years for the prevention of colorectal cancer. Eligible persons can make an appointment with a primary care doctor enrolled under CRCSP for assessment and arrangement of testing. 

Elderly health

Through Hong Kong’s excellent support for elderly health, talent can rest assured that they can access active ageing resources and services in their senior years. Alongside health information on the Elderly Health Service (EHS) website, the CRCSP is also available for eligible elderly aged 75 or below. 

Hong Kong’s commitment to quality healthcare

With a strong emphasis on health management and education, Hong Kong’s public health system allow you and your family to thrive in the city while priortising wellness. To learn more about eligibility and services for individual programmes, please refer to the Department of Health website.