The Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), an independent and professional-led platform initiated by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, successfully convened its inaugural “IMACE Conference 2026” at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building today. Under the theme “Health Economics, Health Technology Assessment and Clinical Guideline Development: A Belated Dialogue in Hong Kong”, the Conference brought together distinguished experts from the United Kingdom, and healthcare professionals, academics, policymakers and industry leaders from Hong Kong’s public and private healthcare sectors to explore the challenges and opportunities in Hong Kong’s healthcare system, thereby opening a new chapter in advancing evidence-based healthcare decision-making. The Conference also examined the latest trends in health economics and technology assessment, their interactions and how clinical guideline development could help unlock their full potential in Hong Kong.

The Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE) is pleased to announce that the IMACE Conference 2026 will be held on 16 May 2026 (Saturday) at Run Run Shaw Hall, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building. Titled “Health Economics, Technology Assessment and Clinical Guidelines: A Belated Dialogue in Hong Kong”, this dynamic event will gather healthcare professionals, academics, officials and key stakeholders to explore the latest trends in health economics and technology assessment, their interactions, and how clinical guideline development may help realise their full potential in Hong Kong.

Professor Gilberto Ka-kit Leung, Convenor of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), served as a Keynote Speaker at the “Hong Kong West Cluster (HKWC) Continuous Quality Improvement Forum” on 17 December 2025.

The Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE) Governing Board and Committee on Clinical Protocols and Guidelines members had a fruitful 2-day visit and exchange to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom on 20-21 October 2025.

The Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE) today (31 October) welcomed the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s inclusion of the Institute in the expanded “Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors” (STV Scheme) with effect from 1 November, 2025.

Professor Gilberto Ka-kit Leung, Convenor of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), presented on “The Medicolegal Implications of Clinical Practice Guidelines: A Perspective from IMACE” at the annual “Scientific Symposium on Emergency Medicine 2025” organised by the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine on 25 October 2025.

On 14 September 2025, Professor Gilberto Ka-kit Leung, Convenor of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), delivered a presentation titled “The IMACE and the Ethico-legal Status of Clinical Practice Guidelines” at the 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting. Professor Philips Chiu, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and a current member of the IMACE Governing Board, also delivered a presentation titled “AI in Surgery”.

On 28 June 2025, Convenor of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), Professor Gilberto Ka-kit Leung, served as a speaker at the AIA “Healthcare Financing Summit” and shared his insights with fellow panelists in the panel discussion.

From June to August 2025, Convenor of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), Professor Gilberto Ka-kit Leung engaged with the Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (HKAPI) through a series of key events, including the HKAPI Annual Dinner, leadership meetings, and the 4th CEO Meeting, fostering dialogue and collaboration to advance healthcare innovation and clinical excellence in Hong Kong.

The IMACE Governing board members contributed to an Editorial published in the Hong Kong Medical Journal on 29 May 2025, establishing the IMACE’s thought leadership in healthcare policy

Subsequent to the Government’s initiative to establish the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), the inaugural meeting was held on 8 May 2025, celebrating this significant milestone in healthcare advancement.