In a recent session of oral interpellations at the Legislative Assembly, the Government responded to concerns about medical internship quotas, stating that current numbers remain sufficient. However, several departments also noted that the healthcare workforce may reach a saturation point in the future. This forecast includes professionals such as doctors, nurses, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, and therapists—a total of 15 medical professions whose graduates may face difficulties in securing employment.
Currently, young people face challenges in finding jobs, while the general population also reports difficulties in accessing healthcare. The public health system is under considerable strain. Therefore, it is recommended that the Government continue to invest in and expand resources for both the public and private healthcare sectors, with the aim of attracting more outstanding professionals, increasing employment opportunities for young people, easing pressure on the public system, reducing waiting times, and ultimately helping to prevent tragedies such as suicide.
The Government has demonstrated strategic vision in planning medical infrastructure, especially through the expansion of community health centres. Several years ago, Macau’s primary healthcare network was recognised by the World Health Organization as a “model of primary care in the Western Pacific Region.” However, this recognition was not matched by proportional improvements in other areas of public health. The population still faces difficulties accessing care, long waiting times, and significant pressure on frontline professionals. Emergency services in public hospitals remain overcrowded on a daily basis, and doctors and nurses are overwhelmed—particularly during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
With over 100,000 residents aged 65 or older—and this number expected to rise—the pressure on the public health system will only intensify. Training healthcare professionals is a long and costly process, and the shortage of personnel is a global concern. In fact, the so-called “saturation” of the workforce may point to systemic dysfunction. Therefore, it is recommended that, given Macau’s substantial fiscal reserves and the ageing population trend, more subsidies be allocated to elderly care homes to hire qualified healthcare professionals. This would not only raise the standards of geriatric care, but also help relieve the burden on the public health system.
According to the Statistics and Census Service, in 2023, Macau had 2.9 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants—a figure similar to neighbouring regions but still below the international average of 3.7. The nurse-to-population ratio stood at only 4.4 per 1,000 inhabitants, well below international standards and lower than in other developed regions. Last year, a financial magazine ranked Macau as the second richest region in the world, after Luxembourg. However, despite this wealth, there remains a significant gap in the quality of healthcare. For instance, the proportion of nurses in Macau is only about one-third of that in Luxembourg.
It is therefore suggested that the Government engage in medium- and long-term planning, allocating part of its fiscal reserves and investment revenues to attract and retain more healthcare professionals. Whenever budgetary conditions allow, the hiring of professionals such as nurses and medical assistants should be increased in order to improve healthcare services and create more employment opportunities for residents.
Macau must ensure a sufficient medical workforce to provide residents with higher quality healthcare, resolve access difficulties, and ease the enormous pressure on frontline healthcare workers.
Macau Economic and Livelihood Alliance
