As part of HKGCC’s Business-School Partnership Programme, a group of Grade 11 students from Shen Wai International School (SWIS) recently visited the headquarters of GBA Healthcare Group in Futian, Shenzhen, to learn about business operations in China’s rapidly evolving healthcare sector.
Dr. Felix Lee, Co-CEO of GBA Healthcare, explained healthcare economics, focusing on insurance product design and policy interpretation. He pointed out that China’s healthcare market has expanded from RMB 648 billion in 2019 to RMB 879 billion in 2023. This growth has been fuelled by significant government investment and increasing demand for healthcare services, with the average Chinese citizen visiting hospitals 6.8 times annually.
However, Lee emphasized several critical challenges facing China’s healthcare system. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol among younger populations has created new pressures on the system.
Additionally, China is experiencing a rapid demographic shift due to measures like the One-Child Policy, resulting in an ageing population. Coupled with a shrinking workforce, this is straining public healthcare funding, which may face depletion by 2036, according to current projections.
Lee also highlighted significant regional disparities, where economically advanced cities like Shenzhen and Beijing benefit from robust tax revenues while lower-GDP cities like Zhongshan struggle with limited resources.
In response to these challenges, GBA Healthcare has developed innovative solutions through public-private partnerships. Rather than owning hospitals, the company focuses on developing community healthcare facilities, training programmes and insurance system design. A key innovation is their telemedicine platform powered by Deepseek AI technology, which enhances diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in online consultations. Dr. Lee explained how these technological solutions help bridge gaps in healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved regions.
The session included a detailed explanation of insurance pricing mechanisms. Students learned how factors like age, pre-existing conditions and lifestyle choices influence premium calculations. For instance, individuals over 65 typically face higher premiums due to increased healthcare utilization.
During an interactive case study activity designed by SWIS teacher Ms. Sandoval, students worked in groups to match insurance products with appropriate risk profiles.
The visit concluded with a Q&A session where students could engage directly with Lee and GBA Healthcare’s Project Director Alan Li. Students left with a deeper understanding of healthcare economics while gaining practical insights into career paths in the healthcare industry.