First Cross-Boundary Ambulance Transfer in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has officially entered flu season, with the first severe case reported involving a four-year-old boy who is in intensive care due to simultaneous infections of influenza and pneumococcal bacteria, and he has not received a vaccination. Health Secretary Professor Lo Chung-mau emphasized the importance of vaccination, noting that around 90% of schools are participating in a flu vaccination outreach program, although some have opted out. Meanwhile, a 67-year-old man with chronic bronchitis has become the first patient to be transferred from Shenzhen to Hong Kong under a new cross-border ambulance pilot scheme aimed at improving healthcare collaboration in the Greater Bay Area. His transfer was smooth, and he is currently receiving treatment at Tuen Mun Hospital after stabilization at the University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital. The pilot program allows direct ambulance transfers without the need for handover at border control points, facilitating quicker access to necessary medical care. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare services and cooperation between regions.