Overview
Hong Kong’s comprehensive range of health services coupled with improvements in the standard of living have fostered a good general level of health in the SAR that is among the best in the world.
The main health indices, such as infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and overall life expectancy, are similar now to those of most developed countries in the West. A child born in Hong Kong is immunized against Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Major infectious diseases like Malaria, Typhoid, and Cholera have virtually been eliminated from Hong Kong; precautions against these are not generally needed.
We recommend you consult your doctor for advice on vaccinations for you and your family.
Emergency
The HK Government runs several large, well-equipped hospitals as well as outpatient clinics and 24-hour emergency departments. However, these public hospitals, while providing quality medical care, may not have private rooms available. Please note that if you dial 999 for an ambulance, you will be taken to the nearest public facility. If you wish to be taken to a private hospital, make your request to the ambulance driver.
The cost of the Government run hospitals will vary if you do not carry a Hong Kong Identity card. For private attendance you must specify that you want to be taken to a private facility.
Warning:
It is customary here for doctors to prescribe drugs from their own pharmacies. This is certainly convenient, and means you do not have to bother having the prescription filled at a pharmacy. However, by going to a chemist you will usually get the drugs cheaper than at your doctor’s office and it is easier to check expiry dates. If you do, be sure to purchase drugs from chemists of good repute, as there is some risk of being sold counterfeit products here in Hong Kong.
You will find that many prescription drugs used in your home country are available here over the counter.
Drug trademarked names vary between countries, often due to translation problems. If you take a medication that you cannot find here, it may be manufactured under another name. Ask the pharmacist to check their reference guide. It’s important to note that certain birth control pills are not available in Hong Kong so those are best brought from your home country. Reputable pharmacies include Mannings and Watsons, their stores can be found in many locations.
In an emergency, dial 999
Contact Numbers
Emergency
Police, Fire and Ambulance
Tel: 999
Police Crime Hotline Tel: 2527 7177
St John Ambulance Free Ambulance Service
Hong Kong Tel: 2576 6555
Kowloon Tel: 2713 5555
New Territories Tel: 2639 2555
Hospitals
The most popular hospitals used by expatriate are Adventist, Canossa and The Matilda.
Private Hospitals
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital
40 Stubbs Road Wong Nai Chung Gap
Tel: 3651 8833
Website: www.hkah.org.hk
24 hour Accident and Emergency.
Canossa Hospital
1 Old Peak Road
Mid-Levels
Tel: 2522 2181
Website:www.canossahospital.org.hk
24 hour outpatient department.
Matilda War Memorial Hospital
41 Mt Kellett Road The Peak
The Peak
Tel: 2849 1500
Hotline: 2849 0111
Web: www.matilda.org
Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital
2 Village Road Happy Valley
Tel: 2572 0211
Website: www.hksh.com
Hong Kong Baptist Hospital
222 Waterloo Road
Kowloon Tong
Tel: 2339 8888
Website: www.hkbh.org.hk
St. Paul’s Hospital
2 Eastern Hospital Road
Causeway Bay
Tel: 2830 8888
Website: www.stpaul.org.hk
St. Teresa’s Hospital
327 Prince Edward
Kowloon
Tel: 2200 3434
Website: www.sth.org.hk
Public Hospitals
Queen Mary Hospital
102 Pokfulam Road
Pokfulam
Tel: 2255 3838
Website: www.ha.org.hk
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
30 Gascoigne Road Kowloon
Tel: 3506 8888
Website: www.ha.org.hk
Pamela Youde Nethersole
Eastern Hospital 3 Lok Man Road Chai Wan
Tel: 2595 7920
Website: www.ha.org.hk
Ruttonjee Hospital
266 Queen’s Road East Wan Chai
Tel: 2291 2222
Website: www3.ha.org.hk