Talk of the town：Public hospital
【明報專訊】Who runs the public hospitals?
Public hospitals in Hong Kong are managed by the Hospital Authority, which is accountable to the government and responsible for formulating overall health policies for Hong Kong. 88,000 people are working under the Hospital Authority. It manages 43 hospitals and institutions, 49 specialist out-patient clinics and 73 general out-patient clinics. These hospitals, institutions and clinics are further organized into 7 hospital clusters(醫院聯網) based on their locations.
◆How much money has the government spent on the healthcare system?
$163 billion in the financial year 2022-23, as estimated by the government in the Budget. Expenditure in the health sector is the largest component among all the expenditures of the government, followed by social welfare and education. Besides allocating resources to hospital services, the government also spends money on enhancing training for medical professionals and increasing the workforce of the healthcare sector.
◆Recent controversy: opening the gate for foreign doctors
In order to relieve the burden on the healthcare sector, the government proposed a new law allowing overseas doctors to practice locally without taking the domestic licensing exam. Criticisms and concerns were raised by several organizations and some local doctors, who were worried that the exemption might open the floodgates for unqualified doctors to practice in Hong Kong.
■ Grammar booster
Shout-out
Special mentioning, serving the purpose to praise or thank someone.
e.g. On the last day of teaching, I would like to give a shout-out to our class teacher.
■ Gear up
1. The government spent the most money on the healthcare system.
(True/ False)
(Answers on next text)
■ Game
Allocate the patients!
The authority needs to move the patients from Queen Hospital to different hospitals due to a massive outbreak of disease. Can you allocate the patients according to their needs?
(See the picture)
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
expenditure (n) 開支
domestic (adj) 本地
exemption (n) 豁免
allocate (v) 分配
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view of rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第341期]
Grammar：Provide, provided (that)
【明報專訊】Pat is planning on a solo trip to Paris. Bill is very worried ab... 詳情
