Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said on Friday the government is reviewing fees and charges for public hospital services, including charging for such services as CT scans and MRIs to prevent abuse.

However, he said that emergency and hospitalised patients would be exempted.

“The demand for some complicated imaging services such as CT scans and MRIs keeps increasing, and prolongs the waiting time. We will consider having a co-payment on such services,” Lo said after a health services panel meeting in the Legislative Council.

“We have to stress that these items are completely free now, as they are fully funded by the government, and that has led to an excessive use of services,” he added.

Lo said the adjustment of fees and charges is needed to reduce waste in such areas as medication so that resources can be utilised accurately and directed towards helping patients whose conditions are more serious or who need more urgent treatment.

He said the government will take affordability into account when changing the fees and charges.

Lo said the adjustment in public hospital fees is an important step in primary healthcare development, and people are encouraged to consult their family doctors instead when their symptoms are mild.