People 70 and over will receive five HK$50 health-care vouchers a year in a move the chief executive said was designed to 'give something back to our senior citizens'.
But social workers slammed the move as 'mean and insensitive'.
The trial scheme, which will begin next financial year and last for three years, was among several measures announced by Donald Tsang to help the aged.
'This initiative enables them to choose more freely various primary medical care services in the local community and therefore reduces the waiting time,' he said.
Elderly Commission chairman Leong Che-hung welcomed the scheme, describing it as co-operation between the public and private sector and an appropriate measure to be adopted before Hong Kong reformed health-care financing.
But veteran advocate for the poor Ho Hei-wah said giving five vouchers was 'so mean'.
'Many elderly people go to the hospital at least once a month - HK$50 cannot cover medical bills at private clinics, which charge between HK$100 and HK$500,' Mr Ho said.
