Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

IN a groundbreaking move to enhance regional health-care cooperation, a pilot program for direct cross-border ambulance transfers between Guangdong and Hong Kong was officially launched Saturday.

The first phase of the program will begin with arranging direct cross-border ambulance transfers for patients from designated hospitals in Shenzhen, such as The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong.

Upon assessment and agreement by the teams of designated cross-border collaborating hospitals, arrangements can be made for patients with specific clinical needs and suitable clinical conditions to be transferred directly to Hong Kong hospitals without transferring patients between ambulances at border control points, thus minimizing any risks posed to patients during transfer.

A notable aspect of this program is the participation of mainland medical staff. These professionals, who will be aboard the ambulances, will apply for limited registration with Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority, thereby obtaining medical qualifications within Hong Kong.

The trial program is set to last for one year.