Histotripsy machines to be moved to private hospitals

Cheng Wong

All three histotripsy machines donated by the Li Ka Shing Foundation will be used in private hospitals, with Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital charging a starting price of HK$308,000 for its device's use in liver cancer treatment.

It is understood that two of the devices - previously donated to the city's two medical schools for research on treating liver cancer patients - have been transferred to Gleneagles Hospital and CUHK Medical Centre.

Sources told Sing Tao Daily, a sister publication of The Standard, that the foundation has funded more patients than initially committed, noting a success rate for treatments in Hong Kong. They said the decision to transfer the devices was due to public hospitals not promptly expanding the treatment scope to general patients.

The histotripsy device at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is still in use at Prince of Wales Hospital and is expected to be transferred to CUHK Medical Centre after reaching a certain level of research progress.

The University of Hong Kong stated that its research team has been conducting clinical trials at Queen Mary Hospital since September 2024, treating 40 patients, and its research project is still ongoing.

Noting the treatment provided by HKSH starts at HK$308,000, Tim Pang Hung-cheong, an advocate from the Society for Community Organization, stated that grassroots citizens and long-term patients may not afford this price and urged the Hospital Authority to explore options for broader access to the technology.

Luk Che-chung, former chief executive of the HA's Hong Kong East area, said on the radio yesterday that public hospitals must consider staffing, budgets and clinical data when introducing new devices. He noted that the process may take longer due to the involvement of public funds.

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com