Foreign domestic helpers are an important part of many Hong Kong households. They help with cooking, caring for elderly family members, and keeping the home clean. But while they care for others, have you ever thought about their own health risks? Recently, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Medical School revealed that stroke cases in Hong Kong are happening at younger ages, and around 10% of stroke patients aged 18–55 are foreign domestic helpers. As an employer, it's important not only to look after your family’s health, but also your helper’s.

If you’ve hired a foreign domestic helper at home, where should she go when she gets sick? Public hospitals, government clinics, or private doctors? As an employer, you’re responsible for paying your helper’s medical expenses. So, choosing the right medical service is very important — especially since public healthcare fees in Hong Kong will increase in January 2026, making medical insurance for helpers more important than ever.

This article will help you understand your helper’s medical options, how insurance works, and the pros and cons of public vs private care — so you can make the best decision for her health and your wallet.

Managing the health and medical needs of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) is a significant responsibility for employers in Hong Kong. This article compiles insights and advice from various cases and scenarios, covering topics such as medical coverage, vaccination, and responsibilities for health-related expenses. Each topic includes links to the original articles for further reading.

Many Hong Kong families hire foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to help care for children or the elderly. Since helpers have close contact with family members, their health and safety are very important. Vaccination schedules differ from country to country, and while FDHs are required to undergo medical exams before arriving in Hong Kong, employers can take extra steps to protect their families. Here's some important information about measles vaccines for FDHs.