HONG KONG, April 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Hong Kong Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee will launch a consultation on the long-term mode of medical service in July before preparing detailed health care financing proposals for public consideration, an official said on Monday.

    Speaking on a local radio talk show Monday morning, York Chow, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, said medical expenses are on the rise. In the face of the aging population and rapid technological development, there is an urgent need to tackle the issue of health care financing, he said.

    Public participation is crucial in solving the issue and more effective communications with the public are needed to let them fully understand the financial implications of different modes of service, on the part of the Government and the public, to help them make a decision.

    Chow said initial studies on dental service, Chinese medicine and psychiatric service will also be launched, but they will not be included in the present mode of service review.

    On basic medical service, Chow said there is a need to establish a family doctor system, so that every citizen will have a detailed medical record, but added the public out-patient service will be maintained to take care of needy families.

    He said raising the current, relatively low, public medical charges will help change the public's pattern in seeking medical consultation. He hoped they will approach family doctors for minorproblems so as to reduce the pressure on the accident and emergency service.

    Chow said a family doctor should be able to establish a long-term relationship with patients, fees should be affordable and there should be networks with specialists for referral.

    On a mandatory medical insurance system, Chow said it should be able to cover people of all ages while the government will take care of the serious illnesses, adding tax allowances can also be considered to attract people to buy medical insurance. Enditem