Western-Chinese medicine program to help arthritis patients

The Hospital Authority launched its integrated Chinese-Western medicine pilot programme targeting arthritis patients in the city, in a bid to relieve patients' joint pain and reduce the negative side effects of medication. It’s a scene that may become more of a regular occurrence in the near future two orthopaedists, one practicing Western medicine and one practicing Chinese medicine, working together to treat patients.

 The Hospital Authority noted the need for this cooperation arose from Hong Kong’s rising elderly population, with cases of arthritis becoming more common. Yuen Long’s Pok Oi Hospital introduced the joint Western-Chinese medicine treatment on its premises in May last year. 

Those seeking treatment for early stages of arthritis at specialist out-patient clinics currently do not need to undergo joint replacement surgery. They could voluntarily accept referrals with clinic consultation fees costing 120 dollars.