Hospital maintenance fees or out-patient consultation fees in public hospitals/clinics are heavily subsidised by the Government and cover a wide range of medical services, procedures and consultations. However, patients are required to purchase certain medical items which are not covered by the standard fees and charges of the HA. These privately purchased medical items include items medical devices used in interventional procedures, prostheses, appliances for allied health services and items purchased by patients for home use (such as wheelchairs and home use ventilators) etc.