End of a 'fulfilling journey' for Hospital Authority chief

Cheng Wong

Hospital Authority chief executive Tony Ko Pat-sing says he will not seek reappointment and that he plans to embark on a new career after his term concludes at the end of July.

Ko, 59, indicated that a headhunting firm will help oversee the recruitment of his successor in the next six months.

During a media gathering yesterday, he reflected on his two terms in office, saying that his six years of service are comparable to other public service tenures.

Given the authority's current stability, Ko said he believes it is the right time to step down and pursue work that he is passionate about.

He said HA chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling had made several attempts to convince him to stay.

Upon his exit, Ko plans to take a short break before returning to clinical work and engaging in medical education to share his experience with young professionals. He has yet to make any definitive decision on his plans, however.

Ko expressed gratitude to his HA colleagues and acknowledged the government's continuous support through policy and funding.

In an e-mail to his team, he reflected on his "fulfilling journey," highlighting advancements in sustainable public health care, smart-care projects and capital initiatives.

He said the authority has "proactively reached out to various mainland provinces and municipalities, as well as overseas health-care counterparts, to deepen and broaden our cooperation."

Ko stressed his commitment to fostering a culture of "respect and trust," asserting that the city's public health-care system is world-class and "not inferior to any other system."

Upon his appointment, Ko faced substantial challenges, including the anti-extradition protests and the pandemic.

He navigated conflicts between medical staff and law enforcement, strikes, and border closures, cherishing these "life experiences" and humorously noting his "unlucky" timing in encountering the pandemic.

"Hong Kong has experienced significant population aging over the past decade, leading to increased health-care demands, and we are facing a considerable challenge," he said, warning that this issue will likely intensify in the next decade or two, becoming a key focus for his successor.

In a separate e-mail, Fan thanked Ko for his contributions to the public healthcare system, and said the HA board has approved the formal recruitment process for the next chief executive.

The newly established selection committee has been authorized to make recommendations regarding this process.

Ko graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1990 and became a physician specializing in geriatric medicine. He transitioned to health services management in 2008, serving in various management roles at the HA head office before being appointed as chief executive of Pok Oi Hospital in 2012.

He served as the cluster chief executive of the New Territories West Cluster and hospital chief executive of Tuen Mun Hospital in 2014. In 2018, he became director of cluster services before assuming the role of HA chief in August 2019.

According to an HA report, Ko received the highest pay among all authority staff - over HK$6.8 million in the last fiscal year, an increase of HK$312,000 compared to the previous year.

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com