{"id":9373,"date":"2020-10-27T19:35:46","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T11:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.helperchoice.com\/?p=9373"},"modified":"2026-02-03T13:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T05:52:19","slug":"public-health-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/public-health-care\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Get Access to Public Health Care and Medical Service? Which One Should I Go To?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>\u201cShould I go to the government clinic or emergency room? I heard that the waiting time is very long\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/public-health-care\/#The_Public_Health_Care_System_in_Hong_Kong\" >The Public Health Care System in Hong Kong<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/public-health-care\/#Hospitals_or_clinics\" >Hospitals or clinics?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/public-health-care\/#How_do_I_book_an_appointment_at_the_general_out-patient_clinics_GOPC\" >How do I book an appointment at the general out-patient clinics (GOPC)?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/public-health-care\/#Can_I_book_Special_out-patient_clinics_SOPC\" >Can I book Special out-patient clinics (SOPC)?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/public-health-care\/#Practical_Tips\" >Practical Tips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cAm I entitled to the service in public hospitals? What documents should I bring?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may have the above questions when trying to figure out where you can go for medical check-ups and treatment during your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/employment-contract-regulations\">employment contract<\/a> in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong health care system runs on a dual-track basis with both the public and private sectors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The private health care sector, which is regulated by the Department of Health, provides a wide range of hospital and primary health service. The cost can be high when accessing it without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/insurance\">health insurance<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Here are some tips to bear in mind when considering using the private health care service.&nbsp;Go to their websites. Call directly to check about their appointment system, waiting time and service fee.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Public_Health_Care_System_in_Hong_Kong\"><\/span>The Public Health Care System in Hong Kong<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two main public institutions, the Department of Health and Hospital Authority, that oversee health care in Hong Kong. The Department of Health manages clinics related to public health care. The most familiar one is Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) which provides prenatal, postanal check-ups and immunisations. Women health service is also available there. That\u2019s where you can go for your pap smear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Advanced booking is always required. Other services provided by the public health care system include travel health, child development assessment, dermatological care. Some of them would require a referral letter from a government clinic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hospitals_or_clinics\"><\/span><em>Hospitals or clinics?<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hospital Authority manages public hospitals, general out-patient clinics and special out-patient clinics (Specialist). Emergency rooms are mostly located in acute hospitals. It is always a good idea to go to the one closest to your home. For any life-threatening and urgent situations, it is always recommended to seek medical help in emergency rooms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may ask, what happens if I have minor symptoms (episodic disease) or would like to seek medical advice for chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes? Your family doctor is a good choice. Another option is the General Out-patient clinic (or more commonly known as the government clinic or Jockey Club clinic).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Subsidised medical services are provided to HKID cardholders &#8211; including migrant domestic workers &#8211; with valid visas.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/photo-1537977193203-d4fce971cb5eixlibrb-1.2.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_book_an_appointment_at_the_general_out-patient_clinics_GOPC\"><\/span><em>How do I book an appointment at the general out-patient clinics (GOPC)?<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Register yourself at the clinic near your home. The full list of all the GOPC in Hong Kong can be found here: (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ha.org.hk\/visitor\/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=10052&amp;Lang=ENG&amp;Dimension=100&amp;Ver=HTML\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.ha.org.hk\/visitor\/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=10052&amp;Lang=ENG&amp;Dimension=100&amp;Ver=HTML<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call the booking hotline of your selected clinic to make an appointment. The telephone system will assign you with a timeslot 24 hours within your booking time. Some clinics have improved their booking system with their newly launched mobile application \u201cHA Go\u201d. Download and access the App if you prefer this option.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\"><table><tbody><tr><td>One handy tip: Be patient. GOPC is very popular so you may not be able to get a timeslot as early as you\u2019d like. Please remember to cancel the booking if you cannot make it, so the timeslot can be released to another person in need.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_book_Special_out-patient_clinics_SOPC\"><\/span><em>Can I book Special out-patient clinics (SOPC)?<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike the private health care system, you cannot make walk-in appointments with specialists from the public health care system. Your private GP (family doctors) or the doctors at GOPC could help you make referrals to SOPC. When you have a referral letter, you can book an appointment with SOPC either in person or via their mobile App.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_Tips\"><\/span>Practical Tips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is very common to have questions regarding health care access. You can call the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ha.org.hk\/visitor\/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=10114&amp;Lang=ENG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">government service hotline<\/a> for enquiries, or approach community organisations for information and support.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a migrant domestic worker and you have questions relating to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/pregnancy-domestic-helper\/\">pregnancy and maternity protection<\/a>, you can get in touch with PathFinders. For other general health-related information, you can make enquiries to community organisations like <a href=\"https:\/\/hia.org.hk\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Health In Action<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfordomesticworkers.org\/en\/home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">HELP for Domestic Workers<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pursuing good health and wellbeing should always be one of our primary goals in life. It is unavoidable that we would sometimes need medical advice and treatment. It is thus always helpful to be well-informed and prepared. Pay attention to your symptoms, choose a suitable option and seek appropriate health care advice. Ask your healthcare professionals when you are in doubt. Make an informed health choice and practise a healthy lifestyle in your daily life. Stay healthy everyone!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:65px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>You can reach out to PathFinders for more information and support if you are pregnant or<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>planning to be pregnant during your employment contract.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Contact Number\/WhatsApp: 5190 4886 (for Migrant Domestic Workers experience pregnancy and\/or with child)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Facebook: facebook.com\/pffmw<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"mailto:info@pathfinders.org.hk\">Email: info@pathfinders.org.hk<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinders.org.hk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">www.pathfinders.org.hk<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>For more information, please visit:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Health In Action&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:hia@hia.org.hk\"><em>hia@hia.org.hk<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Facebook: facebook.com\/HIAHK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>HELP for Domestic Workers, Christian Action &#8211; Centre for Migrant Domestic Workers, and Mission for Migrant Workers can also provide you with general health access information. You can find the contact information of the above organization on the PathFinders\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Resource Card: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinders.org.hk\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/FINAL-BILINGUAL_Resource-Card-Page-1-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.pathfinders.org.hk\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/FINAL-BILINGUAL_Resource-Card-Page-1-2.pdf<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cShould I go to the government clinic or emergency room? I heard that the waiting time is very long\u2026\u201d \u201cAm I entitled to the service in public hospitals? What documents should I bring?\u201d You may have the above questions when trying to figure out where you can go for medical check-ups and treatment during your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":9376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"description":"Clear guidance for domestic workers on healthcare access in Hong Kong, from government clinics to emergency services and specialist referrals.","title":"How Can I Get Access to Public Health Care and Medical Service? 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