The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau is responsible for, among other matters, the policy formulation and resource allocation for health in Hong Kong. It also oversees implementation of policies to protect and promote public health, to provide comprehensive and lifelong holistic care to each citizen, and to ensure that no one is denied adequate medical treatment due to lack of means.

The Department of Health is the Government's health adviser and agency to execute health care policies and statutory functions. It safeguards the community's health through a range of promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.

The Hospital Authority (HA) is a statutory body established in 1990 under the Hospital Authority Ordinance to provide public hospital and related services. It provides medical treatment and rehabilitation services to patients through hospitals, specialist clinics, general out-patient clinics, and outreaching services.

There were 34 221 hospital beds in Hong Kong in 2004, representing 5.0 beds per thousand population: 28 231 beds in hospitals run by the Hospital Authority, 2 794 in private hospitals, 2 463 in nursing homes and 733 in the Correctional Services Department.