By Dr. Kevin Lau
In a recent journey to Hangzhou, our delegation delved into the city's pioneering efforts to harness big data for a robust health ecosystem and vibrant smart elderly care communities. The insights gained over those few days were nothing short of transformative, offering a beacon of inspiration for Hong Kong as we navigate the twin challenges of an aging population and strained healthcare resources. Hangzhou, a trailblazer in China's digital economy, has charted a sustainable path by fusing technology with community governance—a model that holds profound lessons for Hong Kong, where similar pressures demand innovative solutions.
Stepping into Hangzhou's community health centers, one is immediately struck by the seamless integration of digital technology. Residents' health records are fully linked to a big data platform, enabling medical professionals to swiftly access data for disease prevention, early screening, and tiered diagnostics. The "City Brain" and "Zhejiang Health e-Life" platforms have revolutionized community health management, making it digital and intelligent, significantly enhancing chronic disease care and responses to public health emergencies. This is a tapestry of innovation, weaving together data and care to uplift communities.
In contrast, Hong Kong's platforms, such as eHealth and iAM Smart, while commendable, have room for growth in data application and interoperability. To emulate Hangzhou's success, our government should enhance these platforms by integrating features like voluntary health data uploads, allowing family doctors to monitor changes and deliver timely health alerts. Such advancements would not only heighten public health awareness but also divert non-emergency cases from hospitals, easing long-term financial and staffing pressures on our public healthcare system.
A cornerstone of Hangzhou's approach is its mantra of "data that is usable, manageable, and controllable." Hong Kong must similarly dismantle the "data silos" that hinder our healthcare system. Currently, limited data sharing between public and private medical institutions fragments patient records, complicating comprehensive care. Revising the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance to balance privacy with public interest could enable cross-sector data sharing, laying the foundation for smart elderly care communities. This would ensure that health data flows seamlessly, enhancing care continuity.
Equally critical is seizing the opportunity presented by China's relaxed cross-border data policies within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). By fostering medical data interoperability between Hong Kong and the mainland, particularly for diagnostic purposes, we can facilitate seamless cross-border healthcare, improving treatment accuracy and convenience for residents. This synergy embodies the collaborative spirit of "One Country, Two Systems," unlocking the GBA's potential as a unified health ecosystem. Hangzhou's Cuiyuan Community, a model of smart elderly care, integrates medical care, rehabilitation, nursing, and wellness into a one-stop service hub, earning widespread acclaim. Hong Kong should pilot similar models in areas with aging populations, such as public housing estates, by establishing health kiosks, telemedicine facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Incorporating wearable devices and AI health assistants would enable real-time monitoring of elderly residents' health metrics, empowering proactive care.
Building on this, Hong Kong could enhance the Hospital Authority's HKSHARE system to develop a localized smart health assistant with a Cantonese interface, integrated with the family doctor system. This would enable continuous monitoring of chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, achieving control rates comparable to global benchmarks and shifting the focus from treatment to prevention and wellness.
A robust health ecosystem requires more than government and medical institutions—it demands community engagement. Hangzhou's "Health Cell" initiative has cultivated over 2,300 healthy communities and mobilized 86,000 volunteers, fostering a culture where residents actively participate in health management, education, and neighborly care. Hong Kong can emulate this by encouraging local organizations, non-profits, and youth volunteers to promote health literacy and chronic disease prevention, leveraging grassroots strengths to reduce reliance on specialist and emergency services.
Looking ahead, Hong Kong should explore a Big Data Governance Law to establish clear data usage and oversight protocols, ensuring public trust in digital health systems. This legal framework would provide a bedrock for smart elderly care communities, making them secure and reliable.
The Hangzhou visit illuminated a clear path: digital health and smart elderly care are not distant aspirations but achievable blueprints. By leveraging our technological foundations, prioritizing grassroots healthcare, enhancing data interoperability, and fostering community participation, Hong Kong can transcend mere treatment to embrace prevention and wellness. This approach will effectively address the dual challenges of an aging population and healthcare strain.
In conclusion, let us envision a future where smart elderly care communities sprout like spring bamboo across Hong Kong, enabling seniors to thrive in their neighborhoods, youth to work with confidence, and residents to enjoy vibrant health. With its capabilities and resolve, Hong Kong is poised to craft a new chapter in digital health, forging a compassionate, resilient, and truly people-centered city.
The author is a specialist in radiology, Master of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong, Founding Convenor of the Hong Kong Global Youth Professional Advocacy Action, and an adviser of the Our Hong Kong Foundation.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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