The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong is set to launch two strategic treatment programmes for stroke and lower back pain next week, with bookings open on Wednesday.

Bian Zhaoxiang, the hospital’s chief executive, told reporters on Wednesday that the two treatments were part of 23 special disease programmes to be rolled out over five years as part of the institution’s strategic development plan to meet healthcare needs and promote the competitive advantages of

traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

.

“Traditional Chinese medicine shows a clear advantage in the clinical treatment of stroke and lower back pain, and there is a strong demand from these patients,” he said.

“We also found that a multidisciplinary approach integrating Chinese and Western medicine really helps these patients achieve better treatment outcomes.”

Bian stopped short of revealing the exact quota for the programmes, but said the hospital had sufficient capacity to meet demand and would make adjustments if necessary.

He added that 10 more programmes, ranging from fertility treatment to treatment for developmental delays, would be rolled out this year, while the rest would be launched over the next four years.