Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reopening of the border, more and more Hong Kong residents, both low-income individuals and wealthy families, have crossed the border into mainland China for faster and more affordable healthcare.

Hong Kong’s public healthcare system includes 74 general outpatient clinics, offering primary care services with approximately 10,000 consultation slots available daily for acute illnesses.

Patients can book an appointment within the next 24 hours via phone or the Hospital Authority’s app, HA Go, with a consultation and medication fee of just HK$50 per visit.

However, due to high demand, securing a same-day appointment through online booking is challenging, except for clinics in outlying islands. Phone lines are often busy, requiring multiple attempts to connect.

In contrast, retirees with more flexible schedules can simply travel to the mainland, where they can receive same-day consultations and medication without the hassle.