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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) Home Dialysis Programme Graduation Ceremony was held today (February 23) to present certificates to 25 patients who have completed a training course in home renal replacement therapy, thus enhancing their quality of life and helping them to lead a normal life in the community.
Officiating at the ceremony were the HA Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu; Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Donald Li; and HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin.
The HA Home Dialysis Programme has been supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charitable Trust (HKJCCT) since 2009, including a donation of $24.2 million in three years for the purchase of 100 sets each of Nocturnal Home Haemodialysis (NHHD) machines and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) machines. Renal patients' quality of life can be improved significantly if they can perform self-help home dialysis treatment overnight.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wu said, "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the HKJCCT's donation, which will relieve the financial burden of renal patients in performing self-help home dialysis treatment in a safe environment. Patients who joined the programme will not only gain a better clinical outcome but also improve their quality of life."
Dr Li said that HKJCCT was delighted to sponsor this meaningful programme, which enables patients to improve their quality of life by no longer having to frequently go to hospital for dialysis treatment. "Over the years, our Charities Trust has made regular donations to promote healthcare projects and support the HA in enhancing its medical facilities and other capital projects. Taking better care of renal patients is one of the common goals in our long partnership with the Authority."
The technology of home haemodialysis was first introduced to public hospitals in 2006. The new technology facilitates renal patients to perform self-help haemodialysis treatment at home every other night. The programme continues to expand with generous donations by the HKJCCT. The NHHD patient training has now been extended to four public hospitals, namely Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital and Alice Ho Nethersole Hospital, thus serving suitable patients from all HA renal units. At present there are around 90 renal patients on NHHD or APD participating in the programme. Furthermore, to foster the development of renal services of public hospitals, a total of 19 healthcare professionals have been sponsored by the donation for overseas training on home dialysis treatment.
Ends/Thursday, February 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:04
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