Hong Kong telemedicine cases surge 33 per cent as patients manage chronic care across borders

Telemedicine services in Hong Kong are reshaping how patients manage chronic conditions across borders and tight schedules, with Hospital Authority telehealth cases climbing 33 per cent as both public and private providers expand remote consultations.

Managing care across continents

Hong Kong housewife Chan Ket-yee, nearly 60, has used video calls and digital platforms to coordinate treatment for severe eczema on her neck and underarms while splitting time between the city and the United Kingdom. After finding UK doctors "just gave basic advice", she turned to a Hong Kong public dermatologist whose treatment plan delivered far better results.

Telehealth now allows Chan to maintain that care across time zones, providing convenient long-term support for her decades-old condition. In April she attended a community event by WeDerm, a Hong Kong clinic specialising in integrated eczema care, where she learned about connections between skin and gut health. She completed a gut microbiome test in Hong Kong before returning to the UK for summer, then reviewed results online with her nutritionist.

"When the results came out, I was in the UK, so we communicated via WhatsApp video call," Chan said.

Private clinics tailor services for busy schedules

Private clinics are customising telemedicine offerings for people juggling demanding routines, complementing the Hospital Authority's growing telehealth caseload. The 33 per cent jump in public-sector remote consultations reflects broader adoption of digital healthcare tools that let patients skip clinic queues and coordinate specialist follow-ups from anywhere.

For patients like Chan managing conditions that require sustained monitoring, remote platforms bridge gaps in continuity when travel or work makes in-person visits impractical. Her case illustrates how telemedicine can integrate specialist care, diagnostic testing and nutritional counselling into a single treatment journey that moves fluidly between physical and virtual touchpoints.

Source: South China Morning Post