Hong Kong’s Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance will take effect next Friday, allowing residents to upload directives refusing life-sustaining treatments to the eHealth platform.
Frontline medics have raised concerns about practical challenges. Sherman Wong Chun-man, chairman of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Ambulance Officers Association, said ambulance crews often face split-second life-or-death decisions with limited information.
Dr Doris Tse Man-wah, chairwoman of the Hospital Authority’s clinical ethics committee, called the legislation a milestone for Hong Kong’s end-of-life care. She said the ordinance, passed more than 20 months ago, would provide clearer legal protection for patients and healthcare professionals.
From July 31, patients may have images of their advance medical directives uploaded to the eHealth platform by a registered doctor. Patient advocates have also flagged affordability barriers for low-income families.
