Care net catches common chronic diseases sufferers

Three out of 10 Hongkongers undergoing government-aided screenings have been diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes or high blood sugar, says the Health Bureau.

Under the bureau's chronic disease co-care scheme launched city-wide in November, people aged 45 or older can be screened for common chronic diseases for only HK$120 and enjoy discounted HK$150 follow-up consultations.

As of Tuesday, more than 17,300 had joined the scheme and were matched with designated family doctors, the bureau said yesterday.

Nearly half of them had been screened and 30 percent - or around 2,500 people - were diagnosed with prediabetes, diabetes or hypertension, which require follow-ups, it added.

The scheme is expected to benefit 200,000 people. Patients diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure can enjoy six subsidized consultations, while those with high blood sugar can have four subsidized sessions.

Based on the co-payment plan, the administration will pay HK$166 and it recommends doctors to charge around HK$150 each time.

Nearly 500 family doctors have joined the scheme and 70 percent of them have set a copayment fee of HK$150 or below, the bureau said.

A patient, Shirley, 61, joined the scheme last month. She underwent screening, laboratory tests and consultations with a doctor and was diagnosed with diabetes.

"My family doctor explained to me that my glycated hemoglobin levels were high, indicating diabetes. Although I do not need medication for now, I have to control my condition through diet," she said.

Shirley said she has started maintaining a balanced diet and lowered her sugar intake.

District health centers can also offer integrated health-care services under the scheme to patients based on their conditions, the bureau said.

Wong Tsz-wan, care coordinator of the Wong Tai Sin District Health Centre, said apart from doctors, patients can receive help from dietitians, optometrists, podiatrists and physiotherapists.

"They play different roles that help patients via nutritional consultations, fitness exercise guidance, retinal examinations and foot care," she said.

Family doctor Lam Wing-wo said it is inspiring that many can be diagnosed early, allowing them to condition their health.

"These patients are still at early stages with their blood pressure or blood sugar reaching a bit high level but they do not have any complications," Lam said.

"As long as they eat less sugar and exercise more, their conditions will already improve within one to two months."

Lam said the health centers can facilitate patients by offering relevant information and helping them measure blood pressure.

People aged 45 or older should undergo a screening, he urged, as the data showed around 40 percent of patients diagnosed with illnesses are unaware of their condition.

"Hypertension, diabetes and prediabetes are mostly asymptomatic during the early stages," he said. "If we leave them untreated, there will be higher risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, kidney failure, eye diseases, sexual dysfunction and dementia."

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com