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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) "Enhanced Home Renal Replacement Therapy Programme Sharing Session and Thanks the Donor Ceremony" was held today (September 28) to empower renal patient through sharing experience of joining the programme which enhance their quality of life as well as leading a normal life in the community.
The ceremony was officiated by the HA Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu; Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Eric Li; and the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Mr Richard Yuen.
The HA Enhanced Home Renal Replacement therapy programme has been supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (HKJCCT) again this year with a total donation of $25.4 million in three years for the purchase of 100 sets each of Home Haemodialysis (HD) machines and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) machines. The quality of life of renal patients would be improved significantly by performing home dialysis treatment while sleeping overnight.
Addressing at the ceremony, Mr Anthony Wu said, "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for HKJCCT's donation in the past three years which has relieved the financial burden of renal patients in performing self-help home dialysis treatment in a safe environment. Patients who joined the programme have not only improved their quality of life but also enhanced vocational rehabilitation."
Dr Eric Li congratulated all those involved in the successful first phase of the programme, which had convinced the Trust to fund an additional 100 sets of Home HD machines and 100 home APD machines for its second phase. He also said that the additional Trust-funded machines will allow more renal patients to receive treatment by themselves at home and improve their quality of life, as well as reduce their financial burden.
The technology of home haemodialysis was first introduced in 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 the generous donation by HKJCCT. The Home HD patient training is now extended to four public hospitals, including Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital, serving suitable patients from all HA renal units. At present, there are over 200 renal patients on Home HD or APD participating in the programme.
Furthermore, to foster the development of renal services of public hospitals, 19 health care professionals, who have been sponsored by the donation for overseas training on home dialysis treatment, will serve as core-group members to implement the first local home HD nurse training programme this year. It makes Hong Kong the first city in Asia that can nuture local expertise in this area.
Ends/Saturday, September 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 13:05
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