Global professionals exchange views at primary health care conference

More than 500 experts from 14 countries and regions gathered for the 2025 International Conference on Primary Health Care, organized by Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and leading nursing schools from mainland China.

The event focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, trends, and strategies to improve community-based care.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of Health Bureau Pang Fei-chau said the conference helped researchers, doctors, and educators share ideas. 

He explained the government’s plan to focus more on preventing illnesses rather than just treating them, with families and local communities playing a bigger role.

PolyU vice president Christopher Chao Yu-hang highlighted the university’s interdisciplinary approach, combining life sciences and technology, aims to support public health policies.

“The findings of healthcare researchers are leading to a better understanding of the gap between the current state of primary health care and a possible future of interdisciplinary collaboration,” Chao said.

The conference was hosted by PolyU’s Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care, set up last year with three top Chinese universities, including Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, and Tianjin Medical University. 

The center works on preventing diseases and using technology to provide better care.

In another development, the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) partnered with South Korea’s Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST) to exchange ideas and talent. 

The deal, signed on March 18, will bring top Korean researchers to Hong Kong and create internship opportunities for CityU students. 

The two groups will also work together to support health-tech startups.

(Ayra Wang)