Healthcare in Macau
Encyclopedia
Macau has a universally accessible single-payer system funded by taxes collected by the government from corporations and residents.
Macau is served by one major public hospital, the Hospital Conde S. Januário
, and one major private hospital, the Hospital Kiang Wu
, both located in Macau Peninsula
, as well as a university hospital called Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital
in Cotai
. Currently none of the Macau hospitals have international healthcare accreditation
.
In addition to hospitals, Macau also has numerous health centres providing free basic medical care to residents. Consultation in traditional Chinese medicine
is also available. Currently none of the Macau hospitals is independently assessed through international healthcare accreditation
. There are no western-style medical schools in Macau and thus all aspiring physicians in Macau have to obtain their education and qualification elsewhere (such as at the University of Hong Kong or Chinese University of Hong Kong
). Local nurses are trained at the Macau Polytechnic Institute and the Kiang Wu Nursing
College. Currently there are no training courses in midwifery
in Macau.
The Health Bureau in Macau is mainly responsible for coordinating the activities between the public and private organisations in the area of public health
, and assure the health of citizens through specialised and primary health care
services, as well as disease prevention and health promotion
. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was established in 2001, which monitors the operation of hospitals, health centres, and the blood transfusion
centre in Macau. It also handles the organisation of care and prevention of diseases affecting the population, sets guidelines for hospitals and private health care providers, and issues licences
.
Macau is served by one major public hospital, the Hospital Conde S. Januário
Hospital Conde S. Januário
Hospital Conde S. Januário is an acute care hospital in Macau, run by the public sector. Established in 1874 and extended in 1989, it has 476 beds and offers 22 different services, both for inpatients and for outpatients. The hospital is colloquially known as 'Hill-top Hospital 山頂醫院' by the...
, and one major private hospital, the Hospital Kiang Wu
Hospital Kiang Wu
Hospital Kiang Wu , a privately owned hospital located in Macau Peninsula, is one of three hospitals in Macau. Founded in 1871, the hospital is run by the Kiang Wu Charitable Association and offered Chinese medicial services. Renowned doctor Sun Yat-Sen brought Western medicine services to the...
, both located in Macau Peninsula
Macau Peninsula
Macau Peninsula is the oldest and most populous part of Macau. It has an area of 8.5 km² and is geographically connected to Guandong province, at the northeast, through an isthmus 200-metre wide. The peninsula, together with the city centre of Zhuhai, sits on an island separated from the...
, as well as a university hospital called Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital
Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital
Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital, commonly known as MUST Hospital , is one of three hospitals in Macau. The hospital is located in the Cotai area of Macau...
in Cotai
Cotai
Cotai is a 5.2 km2 piece of newly reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane islands in Macau, that has not yet been assigned to any of the freguesias. The Chinese and Portuguese names are a portmanteau of the two islands, Coloane and Taipa....
. Currently none of the Macau hospitals have international healthcare accreditation
International healthcare accreditation
Due to the near-universal desire for quality healthcare, there is a growing interest in international healthcare accreditation. Providing healthcare, especially of an adequate standard, is a complex and challenging process...
.
In addition to hospitals, Macau also has numerous health centres providing free basic medical care to residents. Consultation in traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
is also available. Currently none of the Macau hospitals is independently assessed through international healthcare accreditation
International healthcare accreditation
Due to the near-universal desire for quality healthcare, there is a growing interest in international healthcare accreditation. Providing healthcare, especially of an adequate standard, is a complex and challenging process...
. There are no western-style medical schools in Macau and thus all aspiring physicians in Macau have to obtain their education and qualification elsewhere (such as at the University of Hong Kong or Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
). Local nurses are trained at the Macau Polytechnic Institute and the Kiang Wu Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
College. Currently there are no training courses in midwifery
Midwifery
Midwifery is a health care profession in which providers offer care to childbearing women during pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the postpartum period. They also help care for the newborn and assist the mother with breastfeeding....
in Macau.
The Health Bureau in Macau is mainly responsible for coordinating the activities between the public and private organisations in the area of public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
, and assure the health of citizens through specialised and primary health care
Primary health care
Primary health care, often abbreviated as “PHC”, has been defined as "essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost...
services, as well as disease prevention and health promotion
Health promotion
Health promotion has been defined by the World Health Organization's 2005 Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalized World as "the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health"...
. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was established in 2001, which monitors the operation of hospitals, health centres, and the blood transfusion
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
centre in Macau. It also handles the organisation of care and prevention of diseases affecting the population, sets guidelines for hospitals and private health care providers, and issues licences
Medical license
In most countries, only persons with a medical license bestowed either by a specified government-approved professional association or a government agency are authorized to practice medicine. Licenses are not granted automatically to all people with medical degrees...
.