140. With ageing population, Government will continue to increase resources on healthcare. In 2015-16, Government's recurrent allocation to the Hospital Authority (HA) will be $49 billion, up by nearly 50 per cent over five years ago.
141. To cater for the long-term demand for healthcare services, we shall carry out a number of hospital projects. Projects already under construction or planning include the development of an acute general hospital in the Kai Tak Development Area (Phase 1), Tin Shui Wai Hospital and Hong Kong Children's Hospital; the redevelopment of Kwong Wah Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital; and the expansion of United Christian Hospital. A total of 2 800 additional beds will be provided. The works expenditure is estimated at $81 billion.
142. In the 2008-09 Budget, I earmarked $50 billion to support healthcare reform. I shall, in light of public views, inject funds into the high risk pool under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, and provide tax concession for subscribers to regulated insurance products. To alleviate pressure on the public healthcare system due to manpower shortages and surge in demand, I shall set up a fund for HA to make use of investment returns for public-private partnership initiatives. One of these is to extend in phases the General Out-patient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme to all 18 districts. I shall also offer loans to non-profit-making organisations for private hospital development to address the acute shortage of private hospital beds. The remaining sum will be reserved for general use, including provision of support for public hospital projects.
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