Mainland babies, Hong Kong money. Here’s a suggestion!
The title says it all. More people from mainland China are coming down south to Hong Kong to give birth, have their children treated and get treated themselves medically. An outsider may ask why, and the obvious answer is relatively better quality of care, medical expertise and government subsidy than China. Statistics show that 20% being treated in paediatric oncology (cancer) units are mainlanders, and I don’t have to say how much chemotherapeutic drugs cost. The giving birth part is related to benefits of becoming a Hong Kong citizen, related to free education until form three or 9th grade and associated government benefits, e.g. allowances. This poses huge financial, political and social challenge for the government. We do not get extra funding from the Chinese government, as a national health network like the NHS does not exist. Enough said, something needs to be done for this special matter.
A policy needs to be implemented by the government to reduce the cost they are spending on mainlanders, perhaps diverting them to the private sector or rejecting treatment. I do not understand the need to treat mainland Chinese children with chemotherapy if the cancer is not acutely life threatening at that instance, than compared to a splenic rupture after a car accident. This is similar to NHS in UK where general practitioners or doctors cannot treat a patient from another NHS area of coverage unless its an emergency or specially referred. Similarly, if either parents are without a Hong Kong passport or identity card should have their child rejected for a citizenship, and parents can only gain citizenship via staying in Hong Kong for more than a period of time via means of a visa or other approved means and consequently their child too. Payment should be given first to purchase the drugs/necessary equipment before treatment and funding should be rejected as they contribute nil to taxation of Hong Kong.
Another policy should also be passed on with an agreement with the Chinese government that any medical costs required of mainland Chinese if not paid in full according to set agreement must be paid to the Chinese government and deducted from the annual fund the Hong Kong government gives to the Chinese government. After all, this would enable the stability of the Hong Kong government and balance the costs, something the Chinese government would support if they truly promote social harmony, stability and economic development. The Chinese government would then actively pursuit these debts and place criminal charges on these people as a law. In other words, the Chinese government pays their bills. This will reduce those who enter hospitals’ A&E aka ER with a ruptured amniotic sac as an example without a Hong Kong citizenship, forcing doctors to deliver and the sequelae of benefits that they do not deserve.
The proposal above I believe is justified in every principle of medical ethics.
Justice - Those who pay get medical treatment, payment in the form of tax/personal money allow even financial distribution of medical care to everyone as best possible across the country.
Non-maleficence - No harm is done.
Beneficence - Beneficial to reduce patients traveling with conditions that have potential harmful consequences and complications unless necessary. I.e beneficial to patient care.
Autonomy - Patients are still deciding their own treatment available to them, they just have to pay for the private sector if they want to be treated in Hong Kong, a different location not a different treatment.
