The Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE) successfully held its inaugural “IMACE Conference 2026” on 16 May 2026 at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. Centred on the theme of “Health Economics, Health Technology Assessment and Clinical Guideline Development: A Belated Dialogue in Hong Kong”, the conference attracted nearly 300 participants, including leading experts from the United Kingdom, as well as healthcare professionals from Hong Kong’s public and private healthcare sectors, academics, policymakers and industry leaders in Hong Kong. Discussion focused on resource allocation, healthcare innovation, and the development of local clinical guidelines. The event fostered cross-sector collaboration and exchange, laying a strong foundation for advancing evidence-based healthcare and long-term partnership in Hong Kong.

From 13 to 15 May 2026, the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE) hosted a three-day Capacity Building Workshop, featuring Mr. Hugh McGuire, Senior Advisor, and Ms. Ann Greenwood, Advisor from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), United Kingdom, as guest speakers.

The Convenor of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), Professor Gilberto Ka-kit Leung, attended the “Medical Products Regulation (MPR) Symposium” organised by the Department of Health and the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) on 3 February 2026. This symposium discussed on innovations in medical product regulation and positioned Hong Kong as a global hub for health and medical innovation following the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation.

On 11 May 2026, the Convenor of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), Professor Gilberto Ka-kit Leung, delivered a presentation at the “Hospital Authority Convention 2026” titled “Establishment of the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence: Core Values, Mission and Challenges”. The presentation outlined the IMACE’s core values, operational framework, role in healthcare technology adoption, medicolegal considerations, and stakeholder engagement for affordable healthcare advancement in Hong Kong.

IMACE has released the IMACE Conference 2026 Report, which captures the key insights, discussions, and outcomes from the conference and its accompanying Capacity Building Workshop. The report serves as a valuable reference to support continued dialogue and collaboration in advancing evidence-based healthcare in Hong Kong.

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.

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) 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.

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”.

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 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 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.

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.