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CUHK Medical Centre, FWD Hong Kong, and Pfizer Hong Kong partner to raise migraine awareness                        Building a health information platform to help the public cope with migraine and provide free online assessments and professional follow-up

14Oct 2024

CUHK Medical Centre, FWD Hong Kong, and Pfizer Hong Kong partner to raise migraine awareness                        Building a health information platform to help the public cope with migraine and provide free online assessments and professional follow-up

Migraine is a common type of moderate to severe headache, with more severe pains having an adverse impact on people’s daily lives1. Research2 has shown that around 12.5% of Hong Kong’s population suffers from migraine, especially among people aged 18 to 443. Furthermore, women are three to four times more likely to suffer from migraine than men4. In response, CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”), FWD Hong Kong (“FWD”), and Pfizer Hong Kong collaborate to raise awareness and help the public to cope with migraine. FWD MAX lifestyle experience platform (fwdmax.fwd.com.hk) will publish a series of information on migraine and provide a free online migraine assessment. The first 50 users who meet the relevant health conditions can also receive a free migraine assessment service provided by the Clinical Neuroscience Centre of CUHKMC5, encouraging users to seek professional assistance and follow-up at the earliest opportunity. FWD MAX launches free online assessment to identify migraine risks early Many patients lack a full understanding of migraine, and incorrectly dismiss it as common headache to be cured by taking painkillers by themselves. This not only fails to address the real underlying issue, but risks making it worse through overuse of painkillers. To help the public identify and strengthen their understanding of migraine earlier, FWD MAX will continue to provide relevant health information and offer a free online migraine assessment. Users will be able to gain insights into their migraine health by answering five simple questions. Ken LAU, Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, FWD, said: “Urban dwellers live busy lifestyles and easily fall into the habit of neglecting their health. As an insurance company, FWD fully understands the importance of early diagnosis and treatment when it comes to effective health management. We provide comprehensive medical protection products and services, and actively collaborate with various medical institutions, covering services from prevention and treatment to rehabilitation stages. Our collaboration with CUHKMC and Pfizer Hong Kong specifically aims to enhance public awareness of migraine, hoping to encourage users in need to actively seek professional assistance, address their migraine troubles, and live a healthy life.” Don’t ignore migraine: early treatment brings relief, information platform empowers prevention Migraine is a common neurological disease. Patients experience severe headaches, usually coupled with nausea or vomiting, and it can last up to 72 hours at its worst, preventing patients from working or living normally. The causes of migraine, however, are complicated. Family history, hormonal changes in women, lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, smoking, and even weather changes can all trigger migraine. Early treatment is especially important for controlling migraine because it alleviates symptoms more effectively, while also reducing both the frequency and severity of attacks. CUHKMC and Pfizer Hong Kong will regularly share professional information on FWD MAX to help patients understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments of migraine, empowering them to master the way of preventive care. Dr Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, said, “CUHKMC is committed to promoting public health education and enhancing public awareness towards diseases, as well as the importance of prevention and early treatment, which can ultimately improve the population health in the long run. This time, we are pleased to collaborate with FWD Hong Kong and Pfizer Hong Kong, enabling more people to pay attention to migraine issues. This initiative helps those with migraine risks to be aware of their own conditions earlier and receive appropriate treatment advice through the programme, preventing the problem from worsening due to delayed treatment.” Three institutions join hands to promote and raise public awareness of migraine, one of the world’s most common diseases “We are excited to join forces with CUHKMC and FWD Hong Kong in the fight against migraine and help those patients impacted by this debilitating neurological disease,” said Krishnamoorthy SUNDARESAN, General Manager, Pfizer Hong Kong and Macau. “We believe this partnership will significantly increase public awareness on the disease and the subsequent burden, in order to co-create a more supportive environment for patients living with migraine pain.” Free online assessment for the first 50 users who meet the relevant health conditions to receive a free migraine assessment service Visit https://fwdmax.fwd.com.hk/en/Events/migraine2024 or download the FWD MAX app to learn about migraine and take the online migraine assessment. All users who complete the online assessment will receive a convenience store e-cash coupon worth HKD20. The first 50 users who meet relevant health conditions can also receive a free migraine assessment service (valued at HKD500)5 provided by the Clinical Neuroscience Centre of CUHKMC, encouraging users to seek early professional assistance and follow-up.   1 NHS. Migraine: Overview. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/. Accessed Feb 2023; Peters GL. Am J Manag Care 2019;25:S23-S34; Pescador Ruschel MA, De Jesus O. Migraine Headaches. Available at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560787/. Accessed Feb 2023; Mayo Clinic. Migraine: Symptoms & causes. Available at: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201. Accessed Feb 2023; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Headache. Available at: www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/headache. Accessed Feb 2023;  2 Cheung, Raymond TF. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 40.6 (2000): 473-479. 3 Peters GL. Am J Manag Care 2019;25:S23-S34.   4 Al-Hassany L, Haas J, et al. Frontiers in Neurology. 2020;11:549038. 5 Terms and conditions apply, available while stocks last. FWD Life, in its sole discretion, determines the qualification for receiving the prize. The e-coupon will be credited into users' registered FWD MAX account's "Just for you" wallet within 30 days. Migraine assessment service is provided by the CUHK Medical Centre. The first 50 eligible participants will receive a redemption letter 10 working days after completing the questionnaire. The redemption letter will be sent by FWD MAX to the users’ registered FWD MAX email address. Please refer to the redemption letter for the redemption and booking details.  

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FWD Hong Kong and CUHK Medical Centre establish partnership to enhance the medical claims experience with market’s first digital pre-authorisation platform in Hong Kong

18 May 2023

FWD Hong Kong and CUHK Medical Centre establish partnership to enhance the medical claims experience with market’s first digital pre-authorisation platform in Hong Kong

FWD Hong Kong (“FWD”) and CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”) have entered into a long-term partnership to provide FWD customers with efficient, high-quality medical services through CUHKMC's professional medical team and advanced medical equipment. The market’s first1 digital pre-authorisation platform will be launched in the first phase of this partnership, which streamlines the application and assessment process and offers customers a paperless, fast, simple and cashless medical claims experience.   New digital pre-authorisation service for a revolutionary medical experience FWD’s pre-authorisation assessment process is a game-changer that allows customers to receive professional medical treatment with peace of mind at CUHKMC. Empowered by Smarter Health, a Singapore-based healthtech company, the new, cutting-edge platform fully digitalises the cashless claims pre-authorisation process and offers a paperless digital medical experience.   Patients undergoing day surgery or hospitalisation are often frustrated with the "pay-and-claim" process and medical expenses that may exceed their budget, which adds to the overwhelming nature of their physical conditions. Pre-authorising medical expenses can be a complicated and time-consuming process, as it requires medical network specialists to submit a physical form to the insurer for assessment. The entire process can take weeks, and the application may not be approved.   Streamlined process to grant approval in as fast as one working day2 Once eligible insured persons under FWD’s designated medical plan or voluntary health insurance scheme (VHIS)3 receive medical consultation at CUHKMC, a cashless claims pre-authorisation request will be directly submitted to FWD through the platform. The policyholder, the insured and the doctor will submit their eSignatures for validation via mobile devices in the form of QR codes or emails. The application and review process can be accelerated through the enhanced technology and streamlined procedure, allowing FWD to complete the assessment process as fast as one working day2. Both FWD insurance agent and CUHKMC will immediately be notified of the pre-authorisation result through email upon the completion of the assessment process.   After assessment and approval, the Letter of Guarantee and pre-approved eligible guarantee amount will be sent via email to the hospital, doctor and FWD’s insurance agent respectively to facilitate cashless hospital admission. The digital platform eliminates the burden of physical paper forms; significantly reduces time spent on the application and approval processes, and enables the insured to manage their medical expenses before receiving treatment. FWD will digitally pay CUHKMC the pre-approved eligible medical expenses without involving the insured, who can then focus on their medical treatment and enjoy a cashless hospital experience without any related payments3.   Ken LAU, FWD’s Managing Director for Greater China and Hong Kong CEO, said, “We are honoured to collaborate with CUHK Medical Centre to offer professional medical treatment and nursing care services to our customers. With the support of FWD Group’s health and technology colleagues, FWD and CUHK Medical Centre have co-created Hong Kong's first1 digital pre-authorisation platform, which offers fully digitalised pre-authorisation and payment-free medical claims services. The streamlined application process aims to provide convenience and relieve patients’ financial burdens and anxieties while ensuring timely and proper treatment with peace of mind. Looking ahead, we hope to extend our collaboration to serve more customers as we focus on changing the way people feel about insurance.”   Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, said: “CUHKMC is pleased to collaborate with FWD Hong Kong, which facilitates quality and convenient medical services for patients through the brand-new digital platform. At CUHKMC, we have been dedicated to offering healthcare services at predictable and transparent package fees. With FWD’s digital pre-authorisation platform, transparency of medical expenses for patients is further enhanced. Meanwhile, digitalising processes can also save healthcare personnel’s time in handling paperwork, but be more focused on patients' treatment and care, which aligns with our paperless principle.”   Enabling data exchange to enhance collaboration among medical institutions and insurers With direct access to customers' case status, diagnostic procedures, medical cost breakdowns and related documents on the digital pre-authorisation platform, FWD and CUHKMC can track and manage pre-authorisation requests at any time, which accelerates the assessment process and facilitates faster digital claims payments. The platform enables customers to access more secure medical services whilst fostering communication and collaboration between medical institutions and insurers, leading to a mutually beneficial outcome.   As of 1 April 2023. This statement is made by FWD based on market information and understanding at the time. The time required to complete assessment varies from one to four working days, subject to case complexity and product coverage. Only applicable to customers of FWD’s medical plan or voluntary health insurance scheme (VHIS) holding PREMIER THE ONEcierge medical card and designated medical procedures (i.e. "day surgery") for the time being, and subject to the relevant policy provisions. The actual claimable amount will be based on the final claim decision that is subject to insured person’s eligibility and case based exclusion(s), claim documents /information to be received, benefit limits, general exclusions and other terms and conditions as stated in the policy provisions. Customer is required to pay the deductible balance (if any) of their insurance policy.

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Cessation of CUHK Medical Centre Designated Isolation Ward; Continue to support Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts

13 Jan 2023

Cessation of CUHK Medical Centre Designated Isolation Ward; Continue to support Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts

In accordance with the latest recommendation on infection control measures for COVID-19 issued by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) will cease its designated isolation ward starting from 16 January 2023. According to the latest CHP recommendation, COVID-19 patients can be treated in an area with good ventilation, not necessarily in an isolation room. Following the recommendation, CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) will convert the designated isolation ward to a general ward. After the conversion, the ward will continue to admit COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals or on self-financed basis. The ward will also admit orthopaedic and medical patients referred from public hospitals in segregated designated areas. In addition, since the number of COVID-19 patients seeking out-patient service is decreasing, the COVID Medical Station will be closed. CUHKMC will continue to provide telemedicine service to the COVID-19 patients in need. Dr. Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer, CUHKMC, said, “The changes are made according to the Government’s latest recommendation on infection control measures. In order to relieve the pressure and burden on public hospitals and offer help in combating the epidemic, CUHKMC will continue to provide support to the Hospital Authority with 32 beds for referred COVID-19 patients and 18 beds for recovering orthopaedic and medical patients. As a member of the health system, CUHKMC will continue to serve the community with professionalism and perseverance as always, and to safeguard health of the public.”

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Phase Two Expansion of Jockey Club Kitchee Centre Marks a Greater Capacity and Higher Level of Service

21 Dec 2022

Phase Two Expansion of Jockey Club Kitchee Centre Marks a Greater Capacity and Higher Level of Service

The Opening Ceremony of the Phase Two Expansion of the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre was held today to celebrate the completion of the 4-year project by Kitchee Foundation Limited. Recognised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as an “AFC Medical Centre of Excellence”, the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee began operational today along with The Kitchee Bistro, a sports nutrition canteen. They will now serve all professional and youth football players, as well as sports enthusiasts, with the most prestigious level of sports science and nutrition.   Among the distinguished guests were Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan SINGH, Chairman of the AFC Medical Committee, Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, Professor YUNG Shu-hang, Patrick, Professor and Chairman, Department Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, Mr. Ken K. NG, Chairman of Kitchee Foundation, and Dr. C. C. LUK, Chairman of the Kitchee Medical Committee. Mr. Ken K. NG, Chairman of Kitchee Foundation, remarked that the expansion project marked a major breakthrough in Hong Kong football with latest sport science and nutrition innovations. “Despite trials, Kitchee will continue to press forward as a Club and an icon for Hong Kong football. The introduction of new innovations and advanced sciences motivated Kitchee to seize the opportunity to take football into a more professional and scientific level. The Centre will play a stronger role to ensure that young players are in their best condition for every training and match, developing their potential to the fullest to bring glory to Hong Kong.”   Guided by the principles of sports medicine, the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee is operated by the orthopaedics team of the CUHK Medical Centre. It provides treatments for sports-related injuries or musculoskeletal damages using innovative and advanced medical equipment. The Medical Clinic is capable of treating pre-existing sports-related injuries, rehabilitation and injury prevention, as well as providing assessment on players’ physical condition with the help of innovative sports science equipment, enhancing their performance on the pitch. It will also be a hub for the development of sports medicine and sports science by performing data collection and analysis on footballers of different ages for research purposes, which will be used in publication, promotion, and application for sports science.   The CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee was the result of the collaboration between Kitchee Foundation and the CUHK Medical Centre. The soft launch of the Medical Clinic began in June, providing daily support to all Kitchee players, as well as accepting appointments and treating patients who were suffering from sports-related injuries. Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, expected that the Medical Clinic, as a specialised sports medicine centre, would be a landmark for sports development in Hong Kong. “CUHK Medical Centre is a non-profit, private teaching hospital, taking care of the various medical needs in the community. We are honoured to cooperate with Kitchee to advocating sports science to the local community, such that more sports lovers and public members could understand more about sports medicine, injury prevention and enhancement of sports performance. Through the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee, we hope we can help drive the development of sports medicine, while making contributions to the local sports community.”   The Kitchee Bistro is crucial in fulfilling the Club’s vision in practising and promoting sports science and nutrition management. Built upon the values of sports nutrition, The Kitchee Bistro has designed a series of diet plans for players to suit their needs during regular training, match days, and recovery. These diet plans will help all players to get the nutrients desperately needed after vigorous exercise for refuelling, thus increasing performance on the pitch. Young players can learn the importance of a balanced dieting lifestyle, cultivating a diet essential to becoming a professional football player during their developmental phase. This season, The Kitchee Bistro has been providing meals for the First Team, and youth team players who participate in the Premier Youth League, ensuring that all players are well nourished and prepared for matches.   Besides the specialised menu for football players, The Kitchee Bistro has undergone researches and experiments to craft a menu that appeals to both the mouth and the body, finding the balance between taste and nutrition, and is available to the public. Staying true to the Club’s pursuit of a nutritious eating lifestyle, all dishes are reviewed by registered dietitians to ensure that they are both delicious and healthy, creating a low sugar, low oil, and low fat dining experience.   Kitchee Foundation Limited announced the Phase Two Expansion Project for the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre on 28 March 2018. An additional level has been built on top of the Amenity Building, allowing the Centre to house the new facilities. Additional floodresistant measures have also been implemented to allow the Centre to withstand extreme weather. The multi-purpose seminar room on the first floor is well-equipped with multimedia devices for conference use, as well as for the First Team and youth teams to hold their pre-match tactical meetings in the seminar room. The seminar room is also open to the general public upon reservation for activities such as seminars and workshops.

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Human Health Partners with CUHK Medical Centre to Participate in the Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work launched by the   Labour Department

23 Sep 2022

Human Health Partners with CUHK Medical Centre to Participate in the Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work launched by the Labour Department

Human Health Holdings Limited (“Human Health” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 1419), is pleased to announce that the Actmax Limited (the indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) has been awarded the tender for the 3-year “Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work” (the “Pilot Programme”) launched by the Labour Department and has formed a strategic partnership with CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”) to participate in the Pilot Programme.  The Pilot Programme is rolled out today (23rd September 2022). It aims to provide timely and well-coordinated private out-patient rehabilitation treatment services for injured construction employees who have been absent or are expected to be absent from work for six weeks or more because of the work injury, so as to prevent their injury from developing into chronic illness and facilitate their early recovery and return to work.     The cost of the Pilot Programme is mainly borne by the Government.  Human Health estimates that the total amount involved is approximately HK$310 million. The actual expenditure will depend on factors such as the number of injured employees participating in the Pilot Programme and their service needs. A Work Injury Rehabilitation Office (“WIRO”) is established under the Pilot Programme and the Group is responsible for its daily operations and management. There are over 70 rehabilitation treatment service points across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, to provide greater convenience for participants. The Pilot Programme covers case management services and rehabilitation treatment services including medical treatment (provided by general practitioners, specialists in orthopaedics or specialist in occupational and environmental medicine), physiotherapy, occupational therapy, imaging examination service and electrodiagnostic testing service.  The Labour Department will, based on the reported work injury cases, preliminarily identify suitable injured construction employees and contact them to introduce the Pilot Programme.  The Labour Department will,with the consent of the injured employees, pass their information to WIRO to follow up on the procedures for participation.  Each participant will be followed up and arranged to receive early rehabilitation treatment by a designated case manager.     The strategic partnership formed between Human Health and CUHKMC will synergise Human Health’s mature administrative management experience and strong operation network, with CUHKMC’s professionalism in rehabilitation, as well as clinical quality assurance and personnel training.     Mr. Chan Kin Ping, BBS, JP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Human Health, said, “We are very honored to participate in the Pilot Programme and join hands with CUHKMC through establishing the strategic partnership. Human Health has always been dedicated to providing Hong Kong citizens with diversified and comprehensive professional medical services, and CUHKMC is also experienced in providing quality and transparent medical services to the Hong Kong citizens. We believe that such collaboration will enable both parties to provide high-quality rehabilitation services to the injured construction employees and thereby bringing benefits to both injured employees and employers and the community as a whole. In addition, it is believed that the Pilot Programme will provide foundation for the Group to develop its rehabilitation services and further facilitate the development of the medical services of the Group as well as strengthen its collaboration with the Hong Kong Government.”     Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHKMC said, “Through this partnership, we hope the injured construction employees can receive timely professional diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, so that they can return to work and resume normal life as early as possible. The Pilot Programme relieves public hospitals’ pressure in work injury treatment and rehabilitation service, and helps promote the concept of ‘early treatment’ among employers and employees, so that both of them will understand the importance of receiving rehabilitation treatment in a timely manner.”  

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Mourning Dr Vincent H.C. Cheng

29 Aug 2022

Mourning Dr Vincent H.C. Cheng

Dr Vincent H.C. Cheng, Senior Adviser and former Member of the Board of Directors of CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) passed away on 28 August 2022, at the age of 74. CUHKMC is profoundly saddened by the passing of Dr Vincent Cheng and conveys its deepest condolences to his family. Dr Vincent Cheng has made remarkable contribution to the long term development of Hong Kong’s medical services. As a visionary leader, Dr Cheng set his goal to improve the local medical services and to pioneer a new healthcare solution for Hong Kong. He spearheaded the establishment of CUHK owned private teaching hospital with determination and enthusiasm. Despite the many challenges along the way, in particular on the financing of the hospital’s construction, Dr Cheng had demonstrated his exemplary perseverance to overcome all obstacles, enabling the successful construction of the hospital. CUHKMC commenced its service to the public in early 2021. Dr FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHKMC expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr Vincent Cheng, “Dr Cheng was a great contributor to CUHKMC from the beginning. He had proactively engaged in the development of the hospital by assuming the role as the Director from 2016 to 2021. Then he became Senior Adviser and Committee Member of Fundraising Committee since 2021. During the stage of planning, Dr Cheng persisted his view to keep CUHKMC a non-profit making private hospital, and to immunise the hospital from profit-making oriented investors. Behind all these persistence was no doubt Dr Cheng’s deep passion for CUHKMC. On behalf of the whole team of CUHKMC, I would like to express our gratitude to Dr Cheng’s contributions towards CUHKMC and our deepest condolences to his family.” Dr Vincent Cheng was a New Asia graduate in economics in 1973 and the Vice-President of the second CUHK Student Union. He served as a member of the CUHK Council and of New Asia College’s Board of Trustees. In 2009, he became the first alumnus to assume the position of the University’s Council Chairman. His six-year tenure saw Dr Cheng spearhead a range of major initiatives including preparations for the establishment of five new colleges, CUHK (Shenzhen), and CUHKMC.  Widely-recognised as an eminent leader in the banking and financial sector, Dr Vincent Cheng was the first Chinese Executive Director of HSBC Holdings and the first Chinese Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. Dr Cheng also had a distinguished career in public and community service having served as a member of the National Committee of the 11th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Vice Chairman of the China Banking Association, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of The Community Chest. He made an impressive contribution to public policy in Hong Kong and served as a member of the Legislative Council, the Executive Council, and many key government committees. He was also seconded to the Hong Kong Government’s Central Policy Unit and served as an adviser to the government. Dr Cheng received numerous awards for his distinguished community service, including the Gold Bauhinia Star awarded by the Government of the HKSAR.  

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