CUHK Medical Centre to slash 24-hour urgent care prices

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, a private hospital operated by CUHK, plans to initiate another round of fee adjustments, which will reduce prices for 24-hour outpatient and emergency services later this month at the earliest.  

Speaking on a television program on Sunday, Chung Kin-lai, chief executive officer of CUHKMC, said that the fee adjustments aim to enhance pricing transparency and certainty, helping patients better understand their medical and drug expenses before seeking treatment. 

A new package price for common conditions such as fever, cold, flu and gastroenteritis will include consultation fees and basic medication costs, providing a clear budget for treatment and addressing concerns about  “hidden charges” and “additional fees” in private hospitals, he said. 

He added that since his appointment five months ago, the hospital’s overall service volume, surgical procedures, and revenue have all increased by 15 percent, significantly reducing losses compared to the same period last year.

The government has granted CUHKMC over HK$4 billion in loans, and CUHK has made two requests to extend the repayment period, with the first payment not due until 2028. 

Chung acknowledged the challenges in repayment, noting that initial estimates from the consulting company were overly optimistic. He said the hospital has to earn HK$6 billion a year to cover the loan amount with interest. 

He stressed the importance of effective cost control, streamlining operations, and building public trust to boost service volume and achieve financial balance.