When will there be light at the end of the tunnel? How long must one wait for cataract or knee replacement surgery?

In Hong Kong, waiting times at public hospitals are notoriously long. For non-emergency conditions such as cataracts or "knee replacement," the waiting time for surgery can easily stretch into years. Recently, the author heard a friend share that their father, suffering from chronic knee pain due to joint degeneration, has been enduring significant discomfort. Even with a referral letter from a private doctor confirming the medical need, the public hospital doctor still did not include him on the surgery waiting list, leaving the friend to lament, "not even qualified to queue."

Every doctor may have a different diagnosis or judgement regarding a medical condition, which is not uncommon. In fact, even if a friend’s father is approved to "join the queue", the waiting process is likely to be quite lengthy. According to the Hospital Authority’s data, as of the end of March 2025, there are over 67,000 cases waiting for cataract surgery in ophthalmology. The median waiting time is at least 8 months, while the longest (i.e., the 90th percentile) could be as long as 52 months before the surgery is scheduled, meaning a wait of over 4 years. For many elderly patients, blurred vision could mean losing the ability to live independently and even increase the risk of falls and accidents.

As for total joint replacement surgery, although the number of waiting cases is half that of cataracts, with approximately 33,000 cases, the median waiting time is at least 19 months, and the longest (i.e., the 90th percentile) could be as long as 79 months, equivalent to 6.5 years. Taking the example of the author’s friend’s father, if he is currently 70 years old, he might be over 75 by the time he undergoes surgery. During this period, the pain and mobility issues not only affect daily life but may also lead to further deterioration of the joint due to delayed treatment, potentially requiring more complex surgery.

Do not assume that long waiting times are limited to non-emergency surgeries or elderly patients. With the recent resurgence of COVID-19, the number of confirmed cases has surged. According to Hospital Authority data (as of 22 May), the longest waiting time in the emergency rooms of 18 public hospitals across Hong Kong exceeds 8 hours (at Queen Mary Hospital and North District Hospital). Even at more remote locations like North Lantau Hospital and Cheung Chau Hospital, the wait is approximately 1 hour.

Health is the most precious asset in life, yet the waiting times in the public healthcare system may cause this asset to diminish while waiting. Many people work hard in hopes of enjoying a better life after retirement, spending quality time with family, or fulfilling travel dreams they couldn’t achieve in their younger years. However, if health issues such as blurred vision or knee pain plague one’s later years, let alone travelling, even basic daily activities like climbing stairs, shopping, or self-care become immensely challenging, significantly reducing the quality of retirement life.

Whether for yourself or for the family you care about, choosing a suitable medical insurance plan ensures that you and your loved ones can receive timely and effective medical assistance during health crises. The costs at private hospitals can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars, and without insurance coverage, this expense can be a heavy burden for ordinary families. With a wide variety of medical insurance options available in the market, each insurance company offering different strengths, how should you choose? 10Life, as a leading insurance comparison platform in Hong Kong, introduces a scoring system designed by actuaries. It comprehensively and fairly compares various insurance products based on coverage, premiums, and product features, helping you select the plan that best suits your needs. Check out 10Life’s medical insurance comparison for more details.
 

Further Reading:
【Medical Insurance】Is It Necessary? Understanding Types and Benefits of Medical Insurance in Hong Kong 
【Which VHIS Plan is Best for 2025】Comparison of “5-Star” Plans: Which is the Top Choice for Middle-Class Families?
【VHIS】Ward vs Semi-Private Room Plans: How to Choose? (Including Premium Comparisons of 7 Insurance Companies) 

Last updated: 22 May 2025
 

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.