40% of Hongkongers in pilot chronic disease scheme have diabetes or hypertension, surprising authorities
- Health chief Lo Chung-mau says rate may even grow higher if more men join scheme designed to detect chronic diseases at early stage
- ‘The 40 per cent rate is higher than our expectations. Originally our estimated rate, based on other information, was near 30 per cent,’ he adds
About 40 per cent of Hongkongers who joined a pilot scheme designed to detect chronic diseases at an early stage have been diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension, a level surpassing expectations, the health minister has said.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau warned on Friday that the rate might grow even higher if more men joined the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme as he updated lawmakers on its progress.
The programme, launched in November last year, targets residents aged 45 or older with no known history of diabetes or hypertension. They undergo screenings and have subsidised medical consultations with private family doctors taking part in the scheme.
Those found to have the conditions are offered up to six subsidised consultations each year./
As of May 2, about 35,000 people have joined the scheme, with approximately 20,000 having completed the screenings. Nearly 8,000, or roughly 40 per cent, were diagnosed with prediabetes, diabetes or hypertension.