Local think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation has urged the government to deepen its collaboration with mainland cities to assist the growing number of Hong Kong residents retiring in Guangdong.

This would include helping retirees purchase specialist medical services in the Greater Bay Area as an alternative care option.

In its latest research, the think tank noted that there are more than 111,000 Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above residing in Guangdong — an increase of nearly 60 percent compared with a decade ago.

Following a survey of around 1,000 people aged 36 and above who are interested in retiring in the GBA, the foundation found that nearly half face significant barriers when trying to access specialist medical care in the province.

Among respondents over 50, the foundation stressed that the primary hurdle was finding appropriate care rather than affordability.

To address this, the foundation suggested the government purchase high-demand specialist services — such as cataract surgery, knee replacements, and diagnostic imaging — from accredited private healthcare providers on the mainland.

The initiative could, the foundation stressed, provide a viable alternative for elderly residents with urgent medical needs who cannot afford local private healthcare.

It also proposed creating a "Hong Kong-based GBA Care Navigator Network" in partnership with mainland organisations to give retirees dedicated touchpoints and support.



Edited by Tony Sabine