Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long confirmed yesterday that there are plans to increase the number of subsidised medical service slots for non-profit healthcare institutions in the upcoming year.
Dr Lo made the remarks during yesterday’s discussion on the current affairs phone-in programme “Ou Mun Gwong Cheung,” with health and social welfare officials addressing the pressing concerns of residents regarding medical services and social security.
Responding to a listener’s request for additional support, Dr Lo assured the public that no reductions in subsidised places have occurred and that the government is committed to enhancing medical support for vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities.
Dr Lo emphasised that the government has set annual caps on subsidised service slots and budgets in collaboration with publicly funded medical institutions, adding that in 2023 alone, approximately 800,000 people-times benefited from these services.
The discussion also explored the issued of a pension hike, with Social Security Fund (FSS) President Iong Kong Io explaining the mechanisms behind the fund’s adjustments.
Iong reported that over 33 billion patacas have been distributed to nearly 517,000 beneficiaries in Macau under the first-tier of the government’s Social Security System since 2019, with about 30 percent receiving either retirement pensions or disability subsidies.
Additionally, Iong highlighted the success of the non-mandatory central provident fund, which now has approximately 107,000 participants. Iong also noted that the fund continues to provide annual one-time incentive payments to eligible accounts, along with special distributions from budget surpluses.
Furthermore, yesterday’s discussion also talked about improvements in waiting times for specialist outpatient services, which have been reduced to an average of 3.4 weeks for initial consultations.
Dr Lo attributed the improvement to the implementation of the “Healthy Macau Blueprint,” adding that the bureau aimed to address the challenges posed by the city’s ageing population, while promoting healthier lifestyles and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents by 2030.
Social Welfare Bureau President Wilson Hon Wai said that the government’s new rental housing project for seniors has already got its first tenants, which has been designed to improve living conditions for the elderly and provide them with alternative retirement options.
Hon also noted that the government has successfully increased service slots for seniors and rehabilitation services, contributing to a more supportive environment for vulnerable populations.
Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long poses yesterday during the current affairs phone-in programme, Ou Mun Gwong Cheung, hosted by Ou Mun Tin Toi – the Chinese-language radio channel of public broadcaster TDM. – Photo courtesy of TDM
