Co-care scheme may prevent 9% of Hong Kong stroke, heart failure cases

A university projection says about 9 per cent of stroke and heart failure cases in Hong Kong may be prevented over the next decade through the government’s co-care scheme.

The estimate comes as the Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme has enrolled over 200,000 Hongkongers as of January. Launched in 2023, the scheme was initially introduced as a pilot before being regularised in March.

Screening identifies diabetes and hypertension

Around 40 per cent of those who completed screening were diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or pre-diabetes, according to the source. These screening findings form part of the context for the projection on stroke and heart failure prevention over the next decade.

William Wong Chi-wai, clinical professor and chairman of the University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) department of family medicine and primary care, said the scheme can support early intervention for people who have not yet been diagnosed.

“The co-care scheme effectively enables individuals who have not yet been diagnosed … to receive early management from a multidisciplinary team to comprehensively control cardiovascular risks,” Wong said.

The projection thus links the scheme’s enrollment, screening and multidisciplinary approach with the potential to reduce stroke and heart failure cases in Hong Kong. Its projected impact is presented as an estimate, while the scheme’s reported enrollment and screening outcomes show the scale of the programme since its launch.

Source: South China Morning Post