Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council (the Welfare Council) launched the four-year “BOC-HKBU Chinese Medicine Community Stroke Prevention and Rehabilitation Scheme” in 2020, supported by a generous donation from Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK). The scheme has provided over 31,000 Chinese medicine treatment service sessions to elderly stroke patients and individuals at medium to high risk of stroke. Together with other channels including talks, a website and various trainings, a total of nearly 95,000 beneficiaries were reached throughout the scheme. 

The scheme came to a close in late October 2024. A two-day exhibition to share the scheme’s results was held from 26 October at a shopping mall in Tseung Kwan O. Officiating guests of the exhibition included Dr. Chung Chi Ho, Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development of the Chinese Medicine Unit of the Health Bureau; Mr. Peter Ng, Assistant General Manager of the Public Sector and Institutional Business Department of BOCHK; Professor the Hon. Chan Wing Kwong, member of the Legislative Council; Ms. Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary of HKBU; Professor Li Min, Executive Associate Dean of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU; and Ms. Wong Chui Yan, Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council. Other HKBU guests joining the occasion included Professor Simon Han Quanbin, Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine; and Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation.  

In her speech on behalf of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, Professor Li Min thanked BOCHK for supporting the collaboration between the School and the Welfare Council in implementing the scheme. She also thanked the collaborating units, participating Chinese medicine practitioners, social workers and staff, as well as the patients, caregivers, and the public who participated in the scheme for their trust in the team. She said, “The School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU will continue to support and initiate various community Chinese medicine services, making greater contributions to the health of the public and the development of society.” 

Ms. Wong Chui Yan said that the “BOC-HKBU Chinese Medicine Community Stroke Prevention and Rehabilitation Scheme” supported stroke patients and their families through fostering collaboration between the medical sector and the community. Patients received free acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment services, while social workers provided them with comprehensive support. The scheme also emphasised the importance of community education, assisting high-risk individuals and the elderly in stroke prevention through talks, a website, screening questionnaires and ophthalmoscopy. “Senior ambassadors for stroke prevention” were also trained to share useful information with the community. 

Throughout the course of the scheme’s implementation, nearly 470 patients recovering from stroke received a total of more than 28,000 sessions of acupuncture, massage therapy and Chinese medicine treatment at five treatment centres under the Welfare Council. After receiving these treatments, the patients exhibited significant improvements in their self-care abilities, cognitive abilities and neurological functions, resulting in an enhanced quality of life. 

During the event, Ms. Mak, a family member of a stroke patient, recounted her experience with the scheme. She talked about how helpless her family felt regarding her father’s post-discharge recovery following his stroke in July 2023. Fortunately, her father was accepted into the scheme and received free Chinese medicine treatment services. After about two months of treatment, his mobility and speech abilities improved significantly, and he was able to walk with the aid of a walking frame. 

Ms. Mak thanked the scheme for arranging designated Chinese medicine practitioners to treat stroke patients. This approach enabled continuous monitoring of the patients’ conditions, which in turn boosted their confidence in the treatments. She commended the scheme for its speedy application and approval process, which ensured timely support for the patients and their families. 

The scheme also provided free Chinese medicine treatments and follow-up observations to more than 1,000 eligible individuals at high risk of stroke. Data show that those with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis constitutions are significantly associated with an increased risk of stroke. After four months of Chinese herbal tea treatment, the body constitutions of these participants improved, thereby reducing their risk of stroke. 

In addition, 138 elders were trained to serve as “senior ambassadors for stroke prevention”. More than 200 talks were organised, and a website was created to provide the public with information on stroke prevention using Chinese medicine, with the aim of raising awareness in the communities. 

Guests and the public can learn about the scheme’s achievements through the exhibition