Health chief Lo Chung-mau said on Sunday that the government is working on its overhaul of the SAR’s healthcare system.

Lo’s comments came after the chief executive said the government will reform the functions and divisions of labor at the Hospitals Authority, the Department of Health and the newly established Primary Care Commission.

In a TVB program, Lo explained how health care could be rearranged.

“For example, breast and dermatology services have been provided by the Department of Health. But we would like to reallocate these services to either the Hospital Authority or the Primary Care Commission,” he said.

“The Department of Health, meanwhile, will focus on disease prevention and control, health promotion and take on a surveillance role.”

The health chief also urged people with chronic or episodic illnesses, such as influenza, not to immediately seek help from the hospital authority.

Lo said they would first consult their GP and offered assurances that the government would still care for the underprivileged.

“For those who cannot afford this, for example people with low incomes and who receive the extensive social allowance, the state will be responsible for them. We will take care of them in the general outpatient clinics.”