A better sectoral strategy for e-commerce in health care sector

The government suggested that the CE promised health care vouchers for the elderly would be implemented through an electronic platform. But such an initiative is widely opposed by health care sector, especially among Chinese medicine practitioners and dental practitioners, because this may incur extra IT expenses and staff training cost.

We have been urging the government for years to promote wider e-commerce adoption in different sectors. The adoption of an electronic platform for health care vouchers conforms to the e-government policy and should be an initiative beneficial to both patients and medical practitioners.

But according to some medical professional bodies, e-commerce in Chinese medicine and dentistry is less adopted than that in Western medicine, indicating the pervasiveness of e-commerce in health care sector is still incomprehensive and insufficient. A better sectoral strategy for e-commerce, specifically targeting Chinese medicine and dentistry, helping them to identify areas and potential for IT adoption which can lower cost and smooth operation, is necessary. The sectoral strategy should also recognize the difficulties of private medical practitioners, addressing their special needs, as their resources are relatively limited compared with public sector or large private health care enterprises.

Meanwhile, the ICT industry is encouraged to work closely with the government to explore other solutions to facilitate medical practitioners to accept electronic health care vouchers without investing in extra IT equipment.

If you have any comments on sectoral strategy for e-commerce in health care sector, please do share your views by dropping me a few lines at cksin@sinchungkai.org.hk.

CK Sin

Panels

Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting

Next meeting: 12 November 2007 [Agenda]

• Progress in the implementation of digital terrestrial television broadcasting
• Capital Works Reserve Fund Head 710 Computerization Subhead A007GX - New administrative computer systems

Panel on Commerce and Industry

Next meeting: 20 November 2007 [Agenda]

• Government Electronic Trading Services

Motions

14 November 2007

• Expediting the infrastructural planning in Hong Kong
• Improving the policy on elderly welfare and services

Council questions

• Monthly profits tax collections for the past three financial years (31 October 2007)
• Stamp duty on stock transactions (7 November 2007)

News

The Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS)

I was awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) on 27 October 2007, this is a government’s recognition for our joint efforts in promoting wider IT adoption in our society. I will keep working closely with the sector on making Hong Kong a first class digital city.

Activities

Free Workshop for Software Developers - Connecting to the DTTN and Developing DTTN-Compatible Solutions

Organized by HKPC, this technical workshop aims at transferring the skills to Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) on how to connect to the DTTN and develop its compatible solutions.

HKCS Distinguished Speaker Session - Inaugural Lecture and Conferment Ceremony for Adjunct Professor Stephen K.M. Lau

Co-organized by CityU, HKCS and HKAIS, this lecture explores personal privacy in this global information society.

As an elected legislator, I always love to know your views. If you have anything would like to share with me, you can either email me or make an appointment for an office visit or home visit. Please leave your name, contact number, and discussion topic via email, and my office will follow up your request with phone calls accordingly.