The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has formed a new healthcare body to serve as a platform to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines and explore the feasibility of devising service quality and efficiency standards for public and private healthcare services in the city.
The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM) has nominated its past president Prof Gilberto Leung to serve as the first convener of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), according to the government.
The institute brings together different areas of expertise from Hong Kong's healthcare sector. Seven founding members – the HKAM, Department of Health, Hospital Authority, Primary Healthcare Commission, Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong and the Private Hospitals Association – attended the inaugural meeting on Thursday.
Terming the establishment of the institute as a milestone in the development of the city’s healthcare system, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said it will enable the exploration of more effective medical options, ultimately benefitting the patients.
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“In view of the rapid advancement in medical technology, I hope the IMACE can promote exchanges among healthcare professionals and maintain connections with institutions responsible for developing evidence-based medicine and clinical guidelines worldwide. This will enable our healthcare professionals to learn about and apply the latest technologies, further promoting Hong Kong's development into an international health and medical innovation hub.”
In his 2024 Policy Address last October, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced his government’s plan to establish the platform.
With members spanning across the public and private healthcare sectors, the institute will enable the sectors to collect data and cases in an effective manner for detailed deliberations on clinical practices in screening, diagnosis, treatment and management of various diseases as well as evaluating the efficacy of various medical options, according to the Health Bureau.
Upon comprehensive deliberations, the institute will devise and promulgate clinical guidelines as well as service quality and efficiency standards, it added.
Apart from providing a reference for healthcare professionals to enhance healthcare standards, the relevant clinical guidelines and standards can serve as public education tools to facilitate citizens' understanding of the healthcare services they may need in the event of different illnesses.
The institute can also make recommendations to the government on implementing policy initiatives to drive clinical excellence and improve practice quality.
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The HKAM will provide secretarial support to assist the institute in commencing its work.
In accordance with the principle of professional autonomy, the Health Bureau is committed to provide financial support to take forward the institute’s work, but it will not be involved in its governance, research or discussions.
The institute may set up working groups as necessary and invite other professional members and co-opted members to participate, thereby facilitating more holistic deliberations.
