Libby Lee Ha-yun officially assumed her role as the new Chief Executive of Hong Kong's Hospital Authority (HA) today, vowing to tackle systemic challenges including staff burnout, long patient wait times, and strained doctor-patient relationships.
Lee, who recently resigned as Undersecretary for Health to return to the HA, acknowledged the authority's "fatigued" services amid an aging population and rising chronic diseases.
"My goal is to melt this fatigue with warmth—by fostering respect, trust, and care," she said. Among her priorities: streamlining appointment systems through technology and addressing staffing shortages to reduce unnecessary delays.
The new chief openly addressed recent controversies where families had to disclose medical mishaps to the media, calling it "undesirable" and symptomatic of broken trust.
While stressing the HA’s commitment to fair and transparent incident investigations, Lee noted that premature public statements without full facts could be counterproductive. She pledged improved media communication and earlier disclosures post-investigation.
Lee, meanwhile, emphasized rebuilding staff morale through open dialogue, including creating a "culture where frontline workers feel safe to speak up" during policy-making. She also signaled expanded community outreach to better align services with public needs.
On services, Lee ruled out 24-hour general outpatient clinics—citing limited emergency utility—but confirmed plans to extend operating hours.
Lee succeeds Tony Ko Pat-sing, who retired after steering Hong Kong through the Covid pandemic’s peak.
(Marco Lam)
