One University, Two Clinics, Three Awards — and a Health Service That’s There for You When It Counts

Most people meet the HKU University Health Service (UHS) on their worst day: a fever before a deadline, a knee that gives out mid-season, a cough that has outstayed its welcome.

UHS would rather meet you earlier. Since 1956, it has been building something broader than a walk-in clinic, and the easiest way to understand it is to count.

One University

UHS serves HKU as both an institution and a community. Its remit runs from safeguarding campus public health to occupational health, and from primary care to the physical and psychological wellbeing of the entire University population. That population is unusually varied: undergraduates still in their late teens, mature postgraduates and PhD candidates, staff, and in many cases their dependants. One service, one very wide range of needs.

Two Clinics

Beginning in June 2026, there are now two UHS clinics at HKU. The University Health Service (UHS) Main Campus Clinic has been in existence since 1956. It is now located at Meng Wah Complex. Since 30 June 2026, the LKS Faculty of Medicine has begun operating a second clinic called UHS@ Sassoon Road.

The two UHS clinics operate independently, but continuity of care at both sites is ensured.

Three Awards

UHS has won Gold Awards in the Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards two times under tobacco-free campus programmes — an achievement few on campus know about, but everyone benefits from. Smoking, as UHS points out, was never only a student issue; it affects the whole community.

A second piece of hardware is worth mentioning. In 2018, UHS and the Centre for Sports and Exercise (CSE) received a Professional Services Award for their contributions to the “Exercise is Medicine” initiative. Over the years, UHS supports CSE in advancing Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM‑OC), a global movement that encourages universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health. The theme for the EIM-OC in October 2025 was “Power Up Your Health”, followed by the theme “Reaching Out, Rising Higher” in May 2026. A wide range of free exercise activities were offered to staff and students during these months.

Numerous Services

UHS @ Main Campus

UHS provides for the health needs of students, staff and their dependants, and retired staff and their dependants. A wide range of primary care services are offered to eligible users, including primary medical and nursing care, dental care, as well as physiotherapy, laboratory and dispensary services.

Specialised services and programmes including occupational health services, travel health services, health check-ups, preventive care, and health education are also provided. The UHS offers a wide variety of vaccines to protect the health of students, staff and their dependants. This includes seasonal influenza vaccination, HIV vaccination and so on. The UHS provides leadership on campus-wide health issues, and has forged partnerships across campus with many other units on health-related matters.

Year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Exercise is Medicine (EIM), highlighting a decade of collaboration between UHS and CSE. Together, they will continue driving health and wellness initiatives to support well‑being and meet the diverse needs of the University community.

Beyond the EIM partnership, UHS has also launched new initiatives. In June 2026, the UHS introduced a physiotherapist‑led workshop on neck and shoulder pain. The session featured posture correction demonstrations, guided exercise practice, and simple self‑relief techniques, equipping participants with practical strategies to prevent and ease discomfort. Exercises taught during the workshop were designed for participants to continue at home. The event drew a strong and enthusiastic response.

UHS @ Sassoon Road

This new clinic exists for a practical reason. For staff based at Sassoon Road, students studying nearby, and residents of High West, Wong Chuk Hang and neighbouring halls, care is now a short walk rather than a trip to the Main Campus. Eligible dependants and retirees can use it too.

The core service is general practitioner consultation, but the location also opens a direct pathway into the wider HKU Med clinical network: specialist referrals and appointments, the Sports Health Clinic for sports injuries and musculoskeletal concerns, the Immunology & Allergy Clinic for immunological and allergic conditions, the Travellers’ Clinic for travel health, the Behavioural Health Clinic for mental wellbeing (opening soon), and the HKU Integrative Medicine Clinic, which combines Chinese and Western approaches.

There is also a collaborating pharmacy – HKUMed Community Pharmacy – a genuinely unusual feature. Subject to the relevant requirements, it may dispense medicines prescribed by external doctors, and it doubles as a teaching pharmacy supporting medication counselling, patient education and community-based healthcare.

To Infinity

A few things worth remembering as term begins. Do not wait for a problem to get serious, particularly with persistent pain, injury or stress. Care is closer than you think. There is more available than a GP visit. Mental and physical health count equally. And staff dependants may be eligible too.

Check official University and UHS channels for operational hours and booking and follow @HKU_UHS for updates on programmes as they open. UHS is no longer just where you go when you are ill. It is where your health journey starts.