Source: Xinhuanet

06-15-2007 10:12

Special Report:   HK 10 Years

Doctors and medical service providers in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) may soon be able to run wholly owned clinics and hospitals on the mainland, a source said.

The Chinese mainland and Hong Kong will sign an annexe to the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) this summer, which will give the green light to Hong Kong service providers to set up the clinics, a source familiar with the CEPA said.

That will mark a big opening of the mainland's medical market, and Hong Kong doctors will be the immediate beneficiaries.

The licensees will have to be permanent residents of Hong Kong and be recognized by the local hospital authority. They will also need to have had a medical license for over five years and they must pass a qualification tests.

Qualified Hong Kong medical workers are allowed to run self-owned or joint-venture clinics, hospitals and medical centers.

The central government is now hoping to bring Hong Kong's quality medical services to the mainland, especially to community clinics that lag behind in services and facilities, the source said.

The government will not interfere when it comes to prices and locations, but doctors are encouraged to head to western region.