The government expects to provide over 24,000 quotas for cervical and breast cancer screening annually through the Women Wellness Satellites (WWS), according to Commissioner for Primary Healthcare Pang Fei-chau.
His remarks follow the announcement that the first WWS service point, located in Wan Chai, will commence operations next Thursday (June 12).
Pang noted that the new quota benefits 11,000 more women aged 64 or below than the former Department of Health’s Women’s Health Centres, which have integrated into the district health network.
Women's health nurse clinics across 18 districts will offer basic women's health services to eligible women and refer them to the WWS if necessary, he added.
The WWS will adopt a co-payment and pay-per-service model, where eligible individuals will receive a partial subsidy from the government while paying a clinic fee of HK$80 and a doctor consultation fee of HK$150 per visit.
The overall cost for individuals using the services two to three times per year is slightly higher compared to the Women's Health Centres, which charged an annual fee of HK$300.
Speaking on a television program, Pang explained that this payment model will enable authorities to facilitate value-added services, expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.
He also emphasized that the fees will gradually align with those of General Outpatient Clinics.
In addition, the WWS located in Lam Tin and Tuen Mun are set to commence operations in September.
