Latest news with #ChanHoi-yan
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Private hospital in limbo after Hong Kong clinic's HK$400,000 debt: lawmaker
A private hospital and a medical centre have been left in a difficult position after the abrupt suspected closure of Alliance Medical Group left unpaid bills of more than HK$400,000 (HK$51,610) and patients without follow-up care, according to a lawmaker and the test firm. Advertisement As of Sunday night, patients' complaints, covering parents prepaying vaccination packages for their children, lodged with authorities and the Consumer Council have surged to nearly 2,000. Chan Hoi-yan, a member of the Legislative Council panel on health services, on Monday called on the government to address 'loopholes' in the relevant legislation and pointed out Alliance group might be 'just the tip of the iceberg, given the current economic climate'. She said a private hospital, which declined to be named, was owed more than HK$400,000 by Alliance and was trying to contact affected patients to ensure they receive necessary follow-up care. Meanwhile, ApexHealth, a test centre affected by the suspected closure, had announced it was reaching out to patients to distribute their test reports for free. Advertisement 'The hospital's laboratory has been receiving specimens from Alliance Medical Group for conducting tests on their behalf,' Chan said. 'Alliance's doctor still ordered tests on April 22. This year's bills are not yet repaid by Alliance, with the amount at least HK$400,000.'
RTHK
30-04-2025
- Health
- RTHK
Some anti-smoking steps 'should take effect earlier'
Some anti-smoking steps 'should take effect earlier' Chan Hoi-yan says the proposed ban on offering cigarettes to people under 18 years old should come into effect once the law is passed. Photo: RTHK Lawmaker Chan Hoi-yan said she thinks the government should move forward the implementation date of some of its anti-smoking measures, the bill for which was tabled in the legislature for first reading on Wednesday. The measures include banning the use and possession of electronic and heated cigarettes, as well as introducing a fine for smoking while queuing for public transport or to enter a number of premises. If the bill is approved as expected, the dates of implementation for the measures vary from the start of the new year to around a year's time or two years from now. Chan, formerly a politically-appointed health official, said she thinks the measures are all steps in the right direction in the important task of stopping young people from getting into smoking. However, she said, certain proposed measures, such as banning people from offering a cigarette to those below 18, could be implemented immediately after the bill is passed by lawmakers. "This measure should immediately become illegal," Chan told RTHK. "In the past the ban might just involve the sale of cigarettes at shops. "But while I support the idea in general, timing is important for this measure concerning offering cigarettes to those below 18 – it would only be effective on New Year's Day. "I think once the law's passed, [the penalty] should be implemented at the quickest possible time." Chan said she thinks officials can better explain and promote plans to penalise smokers under different scenarios, such as fining those who smoke when there are two or more people, including the smoker, in a queue as well as those who smoke at bus stops. The councillor representing the Election Committee said doing so can help prevent quarrels from breaking out. She added that besides anti-smoking measures, there should also be incentives to encourage smokers to quit the habit.
