Queue for cure
Economic drawbacks encourage
people to public medical services
By Mimi Lok
It is a common scene outside a public hospital. For the past six months, the problem has become more and more serious. The demand for public medical services has been soaring.
Dr. Tse Chun Yan, chief executive of the United Christian Hospital, commented that the increase is instant and unpredictable.
“We have underestimated the increase in demand for services, especially that for the emergency wards. Last year, we had 500 cases a day in the emergency wards, but now we have 600 cases or more. It is a 20 percent increase,” said Dr. Tse.
The reasons behind are multifold. Economic recession, high unemployment rate, increasing population and aging population all contribute to the problem.
“The problem is significant in the United Christian Hospital. We are the only hospital in Kwun Tong. We are having a much heavier burden with the increasing population in Tseung Kwan O,” said Dr. Tse.
Mrs. Lee Chan Siu Fan, 40, who lives in Kwun Tong, complained that the private medical services are too expensive.
“I have four children and they usually get sick together. Each time I visit the private doctor, I need to pay $200 for a child. How can I afford $800 when all my children get sick?
“I’d rather get up early to have cheaper medical services,” Mrs. Lee said.
Mr. Wu Chun, 68, of Ngau Tau Kok, said that he has got used to queuing for public medical services. “I need to pay only $40 for public medical fees. I am old and do not have much money to pay the private doctors,” said Mr. Wu.
Dr. Kwok Chi Leung, 40, is a private doctor working in Ngau Tau Kok. He claimed that for the past few months, there was a slight decrease in the demand for private medical services.
“I have received some complaints about the medical fees. I think economic recession and high unemployment rate are the main reasons.
“Patients are coming with more serious problems which means they are not going to the doctors with minor health problems,” said Dr. Kwok.
Miss So Mei Yan, 30, a chemist who works in a dispensary, said that more people come to buy medicine than before.
“Most of them buy medicine to cure minor illness, such as cold and stomachache. We give them advices as well. When the illness is serious, we recommend the customer to see a doctor,” said Miss So.
Some people think the waiting time for public medical services is too long. Therefore, they turn to the emergency wards or simply call an ambulance.
Dr. Tse of the United Christian Hospital explained that the waiting time may be a bit longer, due to the large number of patients.
He said, “We have nurses in the emergency wards to examine the seriousness of cases and give priority to those who are more in need.
“Some people may misuse the emergency wards. Many citizens do not know what type of diseases they have. In fluster and panic, they only reach the emergency wards for help.”
In case of emergency, people usually ask an ambulance for help. Mr. Kwok Siu Wai, 38, an ambulance driver, claimed that the economic recession and increasing population have boosted the demand for public medical services.
Said Mr. Kwok: “Actually, people has changed their attitudes towards the use of ambulance. In the past, old people did not like to call an ambulance as they believed it symbolized death.”
Facing the problem of increasing demand for public medical services, the United Christian Hospital adopted a new policy.
The remedies are long-term. The old buildings of the United Christian Hospital are pulled down and new ones are constructed for expansion of the buildings. The hospital will gain more space after the renovation.
Another remedy is the opening of the Tseung Kwan O Hospital, which will share the burden of the United Christian Hospital.
Dr. Tse said, “In the short run, we are rearranging the routines of the doctors and nurses to suit different kinds of situations. They may need to work in longer hours and their workloads may become heavier.
“We are trying to recruit the nurses who are taking internship at our hospital from the nursing schools, so that they can work at our hospital after graduation. In fact, we need a lot of nurses to maintain the routine works. Many new nurses just cannot manage the workload and turn to other jobs.
“Most importantly, we need the help from the Hospital Authority. If they can give us more financial support, we can provide and ensure a better service,” said Dr. Tse.
