Health / Social Welfare

The Health Bureau of the Macao SAR Government is responsible for coordinating activities of public and private institutions in the health sector, providing specialist and community medical and health services, and implementing disease prevention and health promotion to safeguard the health of residents.

Medical Benefits

The SAR Government allocates substantial medical and health resources to continuously improve medical services and optimize health infrastructure. The SAR Government shoulders a heavy responsibility for residents’ health, providing Macao residents with comprehensive medical coverage. Anyone holding a valid Macao Resident Identity Card can access services at health centres or receive auxiliary examinations at Conde de São Januário General Hospital (CHCSJ) as referred by health centres without any fees.

Except for certain population groups specified by the SAR Government, services provided by CHCSJ are subject to payment of fees, while Macao residents are eligible to a 30% fee reduction. CHCSJ also offers medical assistance to Macao residents in financial difficulties.

In addition, individuals redirected by the Health Bureau to The Islands Healthcare Complex – Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (“Macao Union Hospital”) can continue to enjoy the same free services as those at the CHCSJ. For self-paying individuals, medical services are charged according to the Macao Union Hospital’s fee schedule.

Medical institutions subsidised by the government or organisations, such as Kiang Wu Hospital, the University Hospital and the Workers’ Medical Clinic, provide a fixed amount of subsidy and free vaccination for certain vaccines to eligible Macao residents. In addition, services at the Tung Sin Tong Medical Clinic are generally provided free of charge.

Public Healthcare Services

Health Bureau

Specialist Healthcare Services

CHCSJ has 29 specialties and 24 sub-specialties, providing comprehensive medical services including outpatient, emergency, inpatient, surgery, and rehabilitation. Upholding the Health Bureau’s principle of “prevention first, proper medical care”, CHCSJ is committed to continuous quality improvement, smart hospital development and optimization of healthcare administration to deliver safe and high-quality medical services to the residents.

The health professionals of CHCSJ continually improve their professional standards and expertise through specialized trainings and overseas academic exchanges, contributing to the advancement of Macao’s health industry. Building on the previous accreditations in 2012 and 2016, CHCSJ successfully attained re-accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) in 2024, achieving an “Excellent Rating” under the “Person-Centred System” module. This makes CHCSJ the first public hospital in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve this rating.

Community Healthcare Services

To support and achieve the goal of “health for all” advocated by the World Health Organization, the SAR Government has established health centres in various districts, creating a community health services network based on health centres, making community health services accessible to all residents within a short distance.

Currently, there are 9 health centres and 3 health stations in Macao (including the Macau New Neighbourhood (Hengqin) Health Station located in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin). These facilities provide a wide range of services to residents, including adult healthcare, child healthcare, oral healthcare, student healthcare, prenatal healthcare, women’s health care, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, mental healthcare, smoking cessation counselling, nutrition counselling, screening services for cervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer, physical examinations and vaccinations.

Healthcare Subsidy Scheme

Since 2009, the SAR Government has been providing annual healthcare vouchers to every permanent resident of Macao through the “Healthcare Subsidy Scheme”. This initiative aims to enhance residents’ health awareness, subsidize their medical expenses, and promote the development of the private health sector. Starting from 2013, the amount of vouchers has been increased to MOP 600. In 2018, healthcare vouchers began to be distributed electronically for greater convenience of use.

Health Professionals and Establishments

As of March 2025, there are 480 healthcare service establishments and 3 private hospitals registered with the Health Bureau. The number of health professionals in Macao is 7,294¹.

This includes 12 categories of licensed health professionals regulated by the Health Bureau under Law No. 18/2020, as well as 6 categories of licensed health professionals (i.e. traditional Chinese medicine herbalists, odontologists, massagists, acupuncturists, sports medicine therapists and podiatrists) regulated under Decree-Law No. 84/90/M. Data for pharmaceutical professionals (i.e. pharmacists, traditional Chinese medicine pharmacists and pharmacy technical assistants) are provided by the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau and not included here.

Social Welfare Services

The Macao SAR Government formulates its social welfare policies in conjunction with non-governmental organisations to deliver practical services that address the needs of residents, resolve difficulties encountered by individuals, families and society, and enhance residents’ capabilities and quality of life, thereby fostering social harmony and promoting family well-being.

Social Welfare Bureau

The Social Welfare Bureau (SWB) is a government department responsible for assisting in the formulation, coordination, promotion and implementation of social work policies and social welfare in the Macao SAR. It provides a comprehensive range of services for individual and family, children and youth, elderly, rehabilitation, prevention and treatment of drug dependence, problem gambling and social reintegration. Facilities under its management include Social Services Centres, Centre of Refuge for Victims of Disaster, Comprehensive Assessment Centre for Rehabilitation Service, Drug Treatment Centres (Methadone), Healthy Life Education Centre and the Resilience Centre (Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment).

In 2025, the Macao SAR Government continues to distribute the ‘Subsidy for Senior Citizens’ of MOP 10,000 through the SWB to each Macao permanent resident aged 65 or above. Concurrently, the disability gratuity continues to be provided to Macao permanent residents holding a Disability Assessment Registration Card, with the amount of ordinary disability gratuity increased to 10,000 patacas per year, and the special disability gratuity increased to 20,000 patacas per year. To improve measures to support parenthood, the Macao SAR Government will introduce a childcare allowance of 1,500 patacas per month (totalling 18,000 patacas per year) for eligible infants and young children under the age of three, in order to enhance financial support for families with newborns and encourage childbirth. Furthermore, starting from 1 December 2023, the Carers Allowance Pilot Scheme has been regularised, with the monthly allowance set at 2,175 patacas.

Law No. 5/2019 “Social Worker Professional Qualification System” came into force in 2020 to promote the professional development of social workers. As of 30 April 2025, a total of 2,273 individuals had been recognised as holding the professional qualification of social worker, with 1,456 individuals in possession of a valid Social Worker Registration Card.

The social services in various sectors are outlined as follows:

Family and Community Services

The SWB has established four social services centres and one service sub-centre in Macao, providing individuals and families in need with a range of general community services. These include personal and family counselling, financial assistance, round-the-clock support, disaster relief, referral services, and legal consultation. The SWB also offers counselling and welfare-based assistance to victims of domestic violence, and distributes various allowances and subsidies, such as Subsidies for Senior Citizens and Disability Subsidies.

To more effectively enhance the willingness of welfare recipients to re-enter the labour market, the SWB continues to collaborate with non-governmental organisations to implement incentive-based employment measures, namely the Community Employment Assistance Scheme and Positive Life Service Programme. Meanwhile, there is a dedicated department that provides counselling and welfare-based assistance to those suffering from dangerous situations such as domestic violence, severe emotional distress, suicide, etc. Special protection and assistance are given to people affected by domestic violence.

On the other hand, the SWB subsidies non-governmental organisations to operate a range of family and community services, including integrated family and community service centres, community centres, community service projects, as well as shelters and temporary accommodation. These centres and specialised services adopt a three-tier preventive strategy, providing preventive, supportive, and counselling services through diversified approaches, in order to promote the healthy growth and development of individuals and families. 

Children and Youth’s Services

Through collaboration with public departments, as well as provision of assistance to court in area of social protection regime, SWB provide counseling and protection to children and youth, assisting them to overcome challenges, rebuild social relationship, in order to achieve the ultimate goal of healthy growth and society integration.

The SWB is the sole authorised institution in Macao responsible for adoption services. The Children and Youth Service Division is charged with managing all adoption-related matters, including assessment of adoption applications, matching processes, and post-adoption follow-up services.

For court auxiliary services, the SWB provides assistance to minors involved in judicial proceedings, in accordance with the social protection regime. In addition, the SWB offers counselling and community support follow-up to youths aged 12 to 16 years who have committed criminal offences or misdemeanours for the first time, in line with the “Education and Supervision Regime for Youth Offenders”.

In addition, in cooperation with non-governmental organisations—primarily nurseries—the SWB provides a range of services for children and young people, assisting families in caring for infants and supporting their development. The Macao SAR Government has also established the “Priority Nursery Service System for Vulnerable Families” to ensure that families in need receive prioritised, full-day subsidised nursery care services. Further, the SWB coordinates care homes and foster care services for children and adolescents, as well as residential services for those unable to receive normal family care due to family circumstances. Community youth social work teams provide outreach services to at-risk youth, youth career development services, support services for families with children and youth at risk, community support services, and drug abuse prevention services etc. Youth and family integrated service centres offer a variety of services for young people and families, including youth development activities, youth counselling and support services, family life education and activities, family counselling and support services, as well as school-based support services.

Service for the Elderly

To address the opportunities and challenges presented by an ageing population and to further enhance policies and services that promote the well-being of the elderly, the Macao SAR Government has established an Old-Age Security System Strategic Team comprising 13 public departments. This team is tasked with progressively implementing the 445 short, medium and long-term measures set out in the Ten-Year Action Plan for Elderly Services 2016–2025. These measures, which cover various aspects of daily life for the elderly, are guided by objectives in four main categories—medical services, rights protection, social participation, and living environment—across 14 sub-categories. The key achievements include: the establishment of a dementia diagnosis and treatment centre, the addition of day care centres for elderly people with dementia, the launch of the “Peng On Tung Outdoor Assistance Service”, the increased quotas for various elderly services, the introduction of specialist outreach medical and telemedicine services for residential homes, the implementation of stair climbing services, the designation of “Senior Citizens Day”, the launch of the “Elderly Employment Subsidy Scheme for Social Enterprises”, the completion of the legislative framework for elderly rights protection, and the implementation of a dual-layer social security system.

As the “Ten-Year Action Plan for Elderly Services 2016–2025” approaches completion, the old-age security system strategic team has commenced preparation of the next phase of the action plan. The new plan will focus on areas such as big health, smart technology, the silver economy, and an age-friendly and inclusive environment. The aim is to implement the policy direction of “family-based care and ageing in place; active participation and vibrant elderly years”, thereby building an inclusive society in which the elderly are cared for, have a strong sense of belonging, and are empowered to make meaningful contributions.

With regard to elderly services, the SWB has been cooperating with non-governmental organisations, providing them with continuous financial and technical assistance in establishing social service facilities and launching community support services. This collaboration seeks to continuously improve service quality and ensure the provision of appropriate services for elderly persons in need, enabling them to enjoy their later years. There are elderly homes and elderly care centres providing residential care places and day care services to elderly people with health problems or lacking self-care capabilities. Appropriate home care and support services are provided to the elderly who are in frail condition or need constant care. Associations and elderly centres have launched the “Caring Services Network for the Elderly” and “Singleton Elders Support Programme”, with volunteers paying home visits, conducting outreach phone calls and organising community activities to shower the elderly with love and care from the community. The ‘Peng On Tung Tele-Assistance Service’ provides singleton elders and people in need with 24-hour immediate assistance, as well as the ‘Caring Listener’ elderly hotline service which includes emotional support, regular greetings, community information, referrals and regular visits. There are also elderly day care centres and elderly recreation centres organising recreational activities for elderly people.

In 2020, the Macao SAR Government proposed the establishment of Government Apartment for Senior Citizens, with the aim of giving priority care to elderly persons residing in walk-up buildings and those who are financially self-sufficient, thereby enhancing their convenience and quality of life. The Government Apartment for Senior Citizens is a pilot project of the Macao SAR Government, comprising 1,815 open-plan residential units, each equipped with basic living facilities and a variety of age-friendly technological features. Together with the building’s comprehensive supporting services, the Apartment can provide a comfortable and safe living environment for the elderly residents. The Government Apartment for Senior Citizens commenced operation on 15 October 2024; applications are accepted on a regular basis. Furthermore, residents who submit applications by 31 December 2025 and complete the selection of units and the signing of the usage agreement within the timeframe designated by the SWB may enjoy a maximum discount of 20% on the usage fee for up to six years.

In collaboration with non-governmental organisations, the SWB has launched the “Happy Elderly Home – Pilot Scheme on Support Services for Elderly Living Alone”, which was officially implemented on 15 October 2024. Through a mobile application, the scheme proactively monitors the activity of elderly persons living alone and elderly couples, enabling timely care and support to be provided in the event of abnormal situations, thereby enhancing home safety and protection for the elderly. The first phase of this service has been introduced in the Government Apartment for Senior Citizens. From January 2025, the respective service will be extended to elderly persons living alone and elderly couples in the Ilha Verde and Toi San districts.

Holders of Macao Resident Identity Cards aged 65 or above are eligible to apply for the Senior Citizen Card, which is available in both physical and electronic formats. Cardholders are entitled to the welfare and benefits provided by public organisations and enterprises that have signed co-operation agreements with the SWB.

Rehabilitation Service

In order to prevent disabilities and promote the recovery and social integration of individuals with disabilities, 13 government departments are implementing the 367 short, medium and long-term measures outlined in the Ten-Year Action Plan for Rehabilitation Services 2016–2025. These measures span 13 service areas closely related to individuals with disabilities, including disability prevention and assessment, medical rehabilitation, pre-school training and nursery services, education, employment, vocational rehabilitation, residential care, community support, social security, development of self-help organizations for individuals with disabilities, construction of barrier-free environments (including access facilities and transportation, application of information and communication technology), recreational and cultural activities, and public education etc. The key achievements include the provision of early intervention training for nursery staff and parents, the establishment of a case reporting mechanism for nurseries, the creation of inclusive nurseries, the implementation of a pilot programme for early childhood development screening in subsidized nurseries, an increased quota for various rehabilitation services, the introduction of a carer allowance, the formulation of the “Architectural Standards for Barrier-free and Universal Design in the Macao SAR”, and the implementation of the Pilot Scheme for Aiding Disabled People in Purchasing Assistive Devices etc.

As the “Ten-Year Plan for Rehabilitation Services 2016–2025” draws to a close, the interdepartmental steering group for the Ten-Year Plan for Rehabilitation Services has commenced preparations for the next phase of the action plan. The forthcoming plan will focus on key areas such as smart technology, barrier-free infrastructure and the promotion of an inclusive society, working in close partnership with the community to support individuals with disabilities to achieve independent living, equal participation, and comprehensive development.

Regarding rehabilitation services, the SWB supports the operation of self-help organizations for individuals with disabilities through financial and technical assistance, as well as the transfer of facilities, equipment and materials. For example, the SWB assists groups (such as the families of persons with hearing, visual, physical, or intellectual disabilities, autism and mental health) to carry out service provision, family support and community education activities. In addition, the SWB collaborates with non-governmental organizations to provide rehabilitation services, including residential services, day care and other support services, as detailed below:
Residential services include long-term residential care and rehabilitation training services for individuals with moderate to severe mental disabilities, individuals recovering from mental illness and children with disabilities; supportive accommodation services, such as small-group homes for individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, halfway houses and supported hostels for mental health recovery service users, providing them with transitional accommodation, life training and psychosocial support.

Day care services include rehabilitation day centres, providing life skills training, therapeutic rehabilitation, regular activities, and case management support for individuals with hearing, visual or intellectual disabilities, as well as those recovering from mental illness; occupational rehabilitation centres, providing job training for individuals with disabilities who possess a certain degree of working ability through sheltered workshops or supported employment services, thereby increasing their opportunities for integrated employment; early education and training centres, offering early education, professional therapy and training for children with developmental disorders, assisting their development in cognitive, linguistic, auditory, social and physical abilities.

Other services include rehabilitation buses, providing transportation between home and hospital for individuals with physical disabilities or those requiring haemodialysis. Non-reserved “rehabilitation shuttle buses”, operating along designated circular routes, enabling persons with disabilities to go out, meet family and friends, participate in cultural and recreational activities, and attend to personal matters. In addition, in terms of assistive device resource services, the SWB provides assessments for assistive devices, home accessibility and safety evaluations and modification services, assistance with rental arrangements, guidance on the selection and use of assistive devices, cleaning and maintenance support, as well as community outreach initiatives.

The SWB also offers professional assessment services to Macao residents who require access to subsidized rehabilitation facilities, thereby assisting them in identifying the most appropriate rehabilitation services.

Prevention and Treatment of Drug Addiction

The prevention of drug abuse primarily targets local schools, families and communities, disseminating and promoting anti-drug messages through a wide range of educational and publicity awareness campaigns, including seminars, training programmes, cultural, recreational and sports activities, as well as multimedia outreach such as posters, leaflets, advertisements, exhibitions, games, websites, enquiry hotlines and reception services. Financial assistance and technical support are also provided to non-governmental organizations to organize anti-drug activities. For example, systematic drug education programmes – such as the “Healthy Life Education Programme” and “Smart and Cool Teen” courses – are offered to local students from K3 to junior secondary levels. The Healthy Life Education Centre has been established to broaden the scope of drug education, organizing cultural, sports and arts activities for adolescents and other residents to raise awareness about drug prevention and healthy living. In addition, to address societal trends in drug abuse, assess service needs and promote the professional development of drug abuse prevention and treatment, a series of activities are carried out, including regular surveys, seminars and participation in international conferences. Meanwhile, the ​Central Registration System for Drug Abusers of Macao ensures continuous monitoring of the local drug situation.

With regard to drug rehabilitation, services primarily focus on outpatient detoxification and maintenance treatment for drug-dependent individuals who voluntarily seek assistance, as well as support services for the families of drug abusers. These services mainly comprise medical care, health check-ups, individual psychological counselling, family counselling, social support, referral services, vocational training, and career development support for individuals in recovery. Furthermore, subsidies are provided to non-governmental organizations to deliver comprehensive drug rehabilitation services, intervention and counselling services for high-risk individuals, as well as inpatient detoxification treatment and rehabilitation services.

Prevention and Treatment of Gambling Disorder

The Resilience Centre is primarily responsible for providing gambling counselling, professional training, community education activities, the promotion of responsible gambling and related research etc. The SWB commissions non-governmental organizations to operate the “24 Hours Hotline and Online Counselling Services for Gamblers” and “RG Connect” mobile application, providing residents in need with round-the-clock information, as well as telephone and online counselling services.

With regard to responsible gambling initiatives, the inter-departmental “Responsible Gaming Working Group”, established by the Macao SAR Government, has launched the “Responsible Gambling Indicators”. Upon receiving applications from relevant entities and conducting on-site inspections, entities that achieve an implementation rate of 90% or above will be certified as a “Responsible Gaming Implementation Model Unit”. To promote responsible gaming, the SWB collaborates with relevant government departments, academic institutions, gaming operators and the social service sector to jointly organize a series of annual activities, including opening and closing ceremonies, community awareness campaigns on responsible gambling and subsidized community programmes, etc. Besides, the SWB has been driving stakeholders to implement responsible gaming policies and procedures, and has established responsible gaming information kiosks and stations—with dedicated ambassadors—in casinos and problem gambling prevention and treatment centres, providing information on gambling risks, responsible gaming, help-seeking channels, and self-exclusion application services.

To further support for the physical and mental well-being of gaming industry employees, the SWB collaborates with non-governmental organizations to implement a range of initiatives, including responsible gambling training, healthy lifestyle promotion campaigns, a mutual support volunteer development programme for the gaming sector, and board game competitions. Such efforts are designed not only to strengthen the personal and family resilience of gaming employees, but also to encourage their participation in wellness activities, volunteer services and self-enrichment courses. Additionally, the SWB has partnered with non-governmental organizations to launch the “Smart Financial Promotion Project”, which provides financial education workshops for primary and secondary school students. Furthermore, gaming addiction counselling services have also been launched in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, in order to help high-risk adolescents handle gaming-related issues in a timely and effective manner.

Social Reintegration Service

The Social Reintegration Service is administered by the Department of Social Reintegration under the SWB. It mainly assists the court in enforcing non-custodial penalties and judicial measures (such as parole, probation with suspended sentence, labor in lieu of fines, suspension of legal proceedings, judicial restoration, etc.), as well as executing the educational supervision measures for juvenile offenders (such as restorative justice order, community service order, rule abiding order, probation order and half-way home order, etc.)

For rehabilitated individuals and juvenile offenders, the SWB not only provides systematic correctional courses and activities, but also collaborates with non-governmental organizations to offer comprehensive support services, including accommodation, financial and family support, employment and education. These initiatives aim to help them to correct behavioral issues and facilitate successful reintegration into society.