Thirty organisations have expressed interest in building private hospitals on four sites offered by the government. Industry insiders say the winning bidders are likely to target the high end of the health care market.
Sites at Wong Chuk Hang, Tung Chung, Tai Po and Tseung Kwan O have been set aside for hospitals.
Wong Chuk Hang is the most popular site, with 12 organisations showing interest, including Great Eagle Group, Baptist University, Union Hospital and Asia Financial Holdings.
Nine organisations are eyeing Tung Chung, while six are interested in Tai Po. The site in Tseung Kwan O is the least popular, with only three groups showing interest.
Private Hospitals Association chairman Dr Alan Lau Kwok-lam worries there might be a 'mismatch' between the interests of the government and the bidders.
He said the government wants to build two-star private hospitals offering no-frills service to attract better-off patients who use public hospitals, but those who have submitted plans may be more interested in offering five-star medical care.